William James Quotes

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William James

Profession : Philosopher

Birth : January 11, 1842

The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.

William James

The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it

William James

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

William James

If merely 'feeling good' could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

William James

Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.

William James

There is but one cause of human failure. And that is man's lack of faith in his true Self.

William James

It is only by risking our persons from one hour to another that we live at all. And often enough our faith beforehand in an uncertified result is the only thing that makes the result come true.

William James

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

William James

The sway of alcohol over mankind is unquestionably due to its power to stimulate the mystical faculties of human nature, usually crushed to earth by the cold facts and dry criticisms of the sober hour.

William James

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

William James

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.

William James

There must be something solemn, serious, and tender about any attitude which we denominate religious. If glad, it must not grin or snicker; if sad, it must not scream or curse.

William James

Knowledge about life is one thing; effective occupation of a place in life, with its dynamic currents passing through your being, is another.

William James

If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.

William James

If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.

William James

The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.

William James

Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.

William James

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

William James

To change ones life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly.

William James

If you believe that feeling bad or worrying long enough will change a past or future event, then you are residing on another planet with a different reality system.

William James