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People nowadays think that scientists exist to instruct them, poets, musicians, etc. to give them pleasure. The idea that these have something to teach them — that does not occur to them.

— Ludwig Wittgenstein Culture and Value (1980)

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More quotes by Ludwig Wittgenstein

Don't for heaven's sake, be afraid of talking nonsense! But you must pay attention to your nonsense.

Culture and Value (1980)

Never stay up on the barren heights of cleverness, but come down into the green valleys of silliness.

Culture and Value (1980)

Man has to awaken to wonder — and so perhaps do peoples. Science is a way of sending him to sleep again.

Culture and Value (1980)

It is one of the chief skills of the philosopher not to occupy himself with questions which do not concern him.

The way you use the word "God" does not show whom you mean — but, rather, what you mean.

Culture and Value (1980)

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The emphasis of study upon a particular aspect of music is in itself ideological because it contains implications about the music's value.

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Music is well said to be the speech of angels.

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Music has no subject beyond the combinations of notes we hear, for music speaks not only by means of sounds, it speaks nothing but sound.

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Above the pitch, out of tune, and off the hinges.

François Rabelais Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532)

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