Henri Frederic Amiel
Henri Frederic Amiel
Henri Frédéric Amielwas a Swiss moral philosopher, poet, and critic...
NationalitySwiss
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth27 September 1821
CountrySwitzerland
doubt tyranny accomplices
Doubt is the accomplice of tyranny.
acceptance giving advice
Before giving advice we must have secured its acceptance, or, rather, have made it desired.
passion men play
Man is a passion which brings a will into play, which works an intelligence.
soul elements absence
At bottom, everything depends upon the presence or absence of one single element in the soul - HOPE
religious hands essence
The philosopher aspires to explain away all mysteries, to dissolve them into light. Mystery, on the other hand, is demanded and pursued by the religious instinct; mystery constitutes the essence of worship.
lying mind atheism
The efficacy of religion lies precisely in what is not rational, philosophic, nor eternal; its efficacy lies in the unforeseen, the miraculous, the extraordinary. Thus religion attracts more devotion according as it demands more faith - that is to say, as it becomes more incredible to the profane mind.
atheism belief
A belief is not true simply because it is useful.
peace light voice
Whenever conscience speaks with a divided, uncertain, and disputed voice, it is not the voice of God. Descend still deeper into yourself, until you hear nothing but a clear, undivided voice, a voice which does away with doubt and brings with it persuasion, light, and serenity.
earth spontaneity instinct
Unconsciousness, spontaneity, instinct ... hold us to the earth and dictate the relatively good and useful.
common-sense common prevision
Common sense is the measure of the possible.
god successful hypocrisy
We are always making God our accomplice, that so we may legalize our own iniquities. Every successful massacre is consecrated by a Te Deum, and the clergy have never been wanting in benedictions for any victorious enormity.
science conscience
Society rests upon conscience, not upon science.
clever intelligence cleverness
Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.
perseverance missing self-improvement
He who asks of life nothing but the improvement of his own nature... is less liable than anyone else to miss and waste life.