René Descartes Quotes: 14

• I think; therefore I am.

• The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries.

• If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.

• I suppose therefore that all things I see are illusions; I believe that nothing has ever existed of everything my lying memory tells me. I think I have no senses. I believe that body, shape, extension, motion, location are functions. What is there then that can be taken as true? Perhaps only this one thing, that nothing at all is certain.

• Common sense is the most widely shared commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it.

• And thus, the actions of life often not allowing any delay, it is a truth very certain that, when it is not in our power to determine the most true opinions we ought to follow the most probable.

  Discourse on Method

• Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.

• I desire to live in peace and to continue the life I have begun under the motto 'to live well you must live unseen

  The Principles of Philosophy

• There is nothing more ancient than the truth.

• To live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them.

• But in my opinion, all things in nature occur mathematically.

• Let whoever can do so deceive me, he will never bring it about that I am nothing, so long as I continue to think I am something.

• Dubium sapientiae initium. (Doubt is the origin of wisdom.)

  Meditations on First Philosophy

• It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well.

  Discourse on Method