Paul Tillich Quotes

My purpose is to explain, not the meaning of words, but the nature of things.

There is no philosophy that is not to some extent also theology.

I'm apt to get drunk on words...Ontology: the word about the essence of things; the word about being.

Philosophy, having crept clinging to the rocks so far, puts out its feelers many ways in vain.

Philosophy ... must not bargain away anything of the emphatic concept of truth.

The need of reason is not inspired by the quest for truth but by the quest for meaning. And truth and meaning are not the same. The basic fallacy , taking precedence over all specific metaphysical fallacies, is to interpret meaning on the model of truth.

Metaphysics is almost always an attempt to prove the incredible by an appeal to the unintelligible.

Poetry and philosophy are, according to how you take them, different spheres, different forms, or factors of religion. Try to really combine both, and you will have nothing but religion.

Every worldview has to bring together reason and faith.

The only roads of enquiry there are to think of: one, that it is and that it is not possible for it not to be, this is the path of persuasion (for truth is its companion); the other, that it is not and that it must not be - this I say to you is a path wholly unknowable.

One can study what exists and how consciousness functions; but one cannot analyze (or “prove”) existence as such, or consciousness as such. These are irreducible primaries. (An attempt to “prove” them is self-contradict ory: it is an attempt to “prove” existence by means of nonexistence, and consciousness by means of unconsciousness .)

Learning philosophy is learning a particular kind of intuitive understanding.

Is the ground a philosophical concept? Has mind a relationship to the ground? Is it an idea to be investigated? Is the ground put together by thought?

Philosophy's position with regard to science, which at one time could be designated with the name "theory of knowledge," has been undermined by the movement of philosophical thought itself. Philosophy was dislodged from this position by philosophy.

Being that can be understood is language.

Philosophy is the science which considers truth.

Analytical philosophy was very interesting. It always struck me as being very interesting and full of tremendous intellectual curiosities. It is wonderful to see the mind at work in such an intense manner, but, for me, it was still too far removed from my own issues.

To mix science up with philosophy is only to produce a philosophy that has lost all its ideal value and a science that has lost all its practical value. It is for my private physician to tell me whether this or that food will kill me. It is for my private philosopher to tell me whether I ought to be killed.

All parts of knowledge have their origin in metaphysics, and finally, perhaps, revolve into it.

Theology is a subject without an object

In fact, philosophy is universal in scope. No man can live without a world view; therefore, there is no man who is not a philosopher.

The philosopher says that God's knowledge is the measure of things, and that things are the measure of man's knowledge.

Philosophical argument has sometimes shaken my reason for the faith that was in me but my heart has always assured me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be reality.

Of the opinions of philosophy I most gladly embrace those that are most solid, that is to say, most human and most our own; my opinions, in conformity with my conduct, are low and humble.

Here is the beginning of philosophy: a recognition of the conflicts between men, a search for their cause, a condemnation of mere opinion .. . and the discovery of a standard of judgement.