John Kenneth Galbraith Quotes

On Pragmatism: It's all very well in theory but it doesn't work in practice

He who studies books alone will know how things ought to be, and he who studies men will know how they are.

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.

In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.

These were people who believed everything about the Soviet Union was perfect, but they were bringing their own toilet paper.

Ideals are great in theory ... but they don't work too well in real life.

The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.

In China there was once a man who liked pictures of dragons, and his clothing and furnishings were all designed accordingly. His deep affection for dragons was brought to the attention of the dragon god, and onde day a real dragon appeared before his window. It is said that he died of fright. He was probably a man who always spoke big words but acted differently when facing the real thing.

The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be."

Theory looks well on paper, but does not amount to anything without practice.

One of the things I could never get accustomed to in my youth was the difference I found between life and literature.

For every life and every act consequence of good and evil can be shown and as in time results of many deeds are blended so good and evil in the end become confounded.

Contradictions make people feel off. They'll say, "Hey, you just said this and now this person is doing that, how is that possible?"

Lord, lord, lord. Protect me from the consequences of the above prayer.

.. that a rule, which, in speculation, may seem the most advantageous to society, may yet be found, in practice, totally pernicious and destructive.

I envy thee not thy faith, which is ever in thy mouth but never in thy heart nor in thy practice

It is easier to produce ten volumes of philosophical writings than to put one principle into practice.

The people heard it, and approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary.

In practice, such trifles as contradictions in principle are easily set aside; the faculty of ignoring them makes the practical man.

Hell is paved with good intentions, not with bad ones. All men mean well.

What you want, my lad, and what you're going to get are two very different things.

Faithful heart may have froward tongue.

There's less of a connection for a lot of people between the technical decisions we make and the ethical ramifications we are responsible for.

This country wants to live in the illusion that it is tolerant but also wants to be able to practice intolerance.

You talk one way, you live another.