Marcus Aurelius Quotes

Reason is a harmonising, controlling force rather than a creative one.

First, he must hold rational values, and to do this he must be a thinker.

The very essence of rationalism is that it assumes that the reason is the highest faculty in man and the lord of all the rest.

The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.

I possess a strong sense of reason.

Intellect distinguishes between the possible and the impossible; reason distinguishes between the sensible and the senseless. Even the possible can be senseless.

When we examine the opinions of men, we find that nothing is more uncommon than common sense; or, in other words, they lack judgment to discover plain truths or to reject absurdities and palpable contradictions.

I'm still a firm believer that we were definitely put here to use our minds, and that is what makes us different. And that that's the key. If there is anything that is going to stop mankind from being such a beastly, destructive creature, it is reason.

We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.

The only hope I can see for the future depends on a wiser and braver use of the reason, not a panic flight from it.

As far as I remember, even younger than eight, I have always been guided by reason. Not cold reason, but that which leads to the truth, to the real, and to sane Justice.

It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision.

Reason without passion is sterile, but passion without reason is hysteria.

Passion has helped us; but can do so no more. It will in future be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense.

That which exercises reason is more excellent than that which does not exercise reason

Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.

Definitions are the foundation of reason. You can't reason without them.

The beauty of science hugely outranks the charms of superstition.

Talk about rationality can get very confusing unless the things with which rationality deals are also included.

In the long run, nothing can withstand reason and experience, and the contradiction religion offers to both is palpable.

Reason is the first victim of strong emotion.

Philosophy may describe unreasoning, as it may describe force; it cannot hope to refute them.

Reason must be our last judge and guide in everything.

Reason has seldom failed us because it has seldom been tried.

To disparage the dictate of reason is equivalent to contemning the command of God.