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It is misinterpretation and incomprehension which, very often, provoked an important evolution in the history of philosophy and which, notably, led to the appearance of new notions.

— Pierre Hadot Études de philosophie ancienne (1998)

Ce sont les contresens et les incompréhensions qui, très souvent, ont provoqué une évolution importante dans l’histoire de la philosophie, et qui, notamment, ont fait apparaître des notions nouvelles.

Original text (French)

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More quotes by Pierre Hadot

Ancient philosophy proposed to mankind an art of living. By contrast, modern philosophy appears above all as the construction of a technical jargon reserved for specialists.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

To know oneself means, among other things, to know oneself qua non-sage: that is, not as a sophos, but as a philo-sophos, someone on the way toward wisdom.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

Here we come upon one of the most profound reasons for Socratic irony: direct language is not adequate for communicating the experience of existing, the authentic consciousness of being, the seriousness of life as we live it, or the solitude of decision making.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

Socrates had no system to teach. Throughout, his philosophy was a spiritual exercise, an invitation to a new way of life, active reflection, and living consciousness.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

It is precisely because the Epicurean considered existence to be the result of pure chance that he greeted each moment with immense gratitude, like a kind of divine miracle.

La Philosophie comme manière de vivre (2001)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Pierre Hadot (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.