Intelligence Quote by Bertrand Russell
““Life, at all times full of pain, is more painful in our time than in the two centuries that preceded it. The attempt to escape from pain drives men to triviality, to self-deception, to the invention of vast collective myths. But these momentary alleviations do but increase the sources of suffering in the long run. Both private and public misfortune can only be mastered by a process in which will and intelligence interact: the part of will is to refuse to shirk the evil or accept an unreal solution, while the part of intelligence is to understand it, to find a cure if it is curable, and, if not, to make it bearable by seeing it in its relations, accepting it as unavoidable, and remembering what lies outside it in other regions, other ages, and the abysses of interstellar space””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Conquest of Happiness, Bertrand Russell, 1930
Pain is pervasive; modern attempts to avoid it create myths and trivialities, worsening suffering. True mastery requires willful refusal of false solutions and intelligent understanding.
In simple terms: Avoiding pain creates more suffering; need will and intellect to confront it.
Key Takeaway
Confront pain with will and insight.
Themes
philosophy
human condition
suffering
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- societal challenges
- mental health treatment
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What false solutions do we accept?
- How can will and intelligence balance each other?
A Different Perspective
Pain avoidance can lead to denial and deeper issues.
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