87 quotes
There is no history of mankind, there is only an indefinite number of histories of all kinds of aspects of human life.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
We must plan for freedom, and not only for security, if for no other reason than that only freedom can make security secure.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
Science may be described as the art of systematic over-simplification — the art of discerning what we may with advantage omit.
The Open Universe : An Argument for Indeterminism (1992)
Science must begin with myths, and with the criticism of myths.
Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963)
All things living are in search of a better world.
In Search of a Better World (1984)
If we are uncritical we shall always find what we want: we shall look for, and find, confirmations, and we shall look away from, and not see, whatever might be dangerous to our pet theories.
The Poverty of Historicism (1957)
I believe that there is, from the ethical point of view, no symmetry between suffering and happiness, or between pain and pleasure.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
It is often asserted that discussion is only possible between people who have a common language and accept common basic assumptions. I think that this is a mistake.
Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963)
Do not allow your dreams of a beautiful world to lure you away from the claims of men who suffer here and now.
Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963)
We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
A principle of induction would be a statement with the help of which we could put inductive inferences into a logically acceptable form.
The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1934)
The so-called paradox of freedom is the argument that freedom in the sense of absence of any constraining control must lead to very great restraint, since it makes the bully free to enslave the meek.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
We may become the makers of our fate when we have ceased to pose as its prophets.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
...no matter how many instances of white swans we may have observed, this does not justify the conclusion that all swans are white.
The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1934)
It seems to me certain that more people are killed out of righteous stupidity than out of wickedness.
Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963)
No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
Always remember that it is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood: there will always be some who misunderstand you.
Unended Quest: An Intellectual Autobiography (1976)
Besides, we should never attempt to balance anybody's misery against somebody else's happiness.
Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963)
In our infinite ignorance we are all equal.
Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (1963)
For institutions, like levers, are needed if we want to achieve anything which goes beyond the power of our muscles. Like machines, institutions multiply our power for good or evil.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)