“The factor in human life provocative of a noble discontent is the gradual emergence of a sense of criticism founded upon appreciation of beauty and of intellectual distinction and of duty.”
Alfred North Whitehead“The "silly" question is the first intimation of some totally new development”
Alfred North Whitehead“The task of a university is the creation of the future, so far as rational thought and civilized modes of appreciation can affect the issue.”
Alfred North Whitehead“Wisdom alone is true ambition's aim, wisdom is the source of virtue and of fame; obtained with labour, for mankind employed, and then, when most you share it, best enjoyed.”
Alfred North Whitehead“Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them.”
Alfred North Whitehead“Fools act on imagination without knowledge, pedants act on knowledge without imagination.”
Alfred North Whitehead“If a dog jumps into your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.”
Alfred North Whitehead“In formal logic, a contradiction is the signal of defeat, but in the evolution of real knowledge it marks the first step in progress toward a victory.”
Alfred North Whitehead“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”
Alfred North Whitehead“No period of history has ever been great or ever can be that does not act on some sort of high, idealistic motives, and idealism in our time has been shoved aside, and we are paying the penalty for it.”
Alfred North Whitehead