Sextus Empiricus famous quotes

Last updated: Sep 5, 2024

By skepticism . . . we arrive first at suspension of judgment, and second at freedom from disturbance.
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Science #Firsts #Judgment
Scepticism is an ability, or mental attitude, which opposes appearances to judgments in any way whatsoever, with the result that,owing to the equipollence of the objects and reasons thus opposed we are brought firstly to a state of mental suspense and next to a state of "unperturbedness" or quietude.
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Attitude #Suspense #Owing
Skepticism relieved two terrible diseases that afflicted mankind: anxiety and dogmatism.
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Two #Anxiety #Disease
To every argument an equal argument is opposed,
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Argument #Equal
Democritus sometimes does away with what appears to the senses, and says that none of these appears according to truth but only according to opinion: the truth in real things is that there are atoms and void. 'By convention sweet', he says, 'by convention bitter, by convention hot, by convention cold, by convention colour: but in reality atoms and void.'
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Sweet #Real #Science
The Mode of circular reasoning is the form used when the proof itself which ought to establish the matter of inquiry requires confirmation derived from the matter; in this case, being unable to assume either in order to establish the other, we suspend judgement about both.
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Order #Judgement #Inquiry
The skeptic, being a lover of his kind, desires to cure by speech, as best he can, the self-conceit and rashness of the dogmatists.
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Self #Desire #Speech
Plato, quite decadently, wore an earring while young.
-- Sextus Empiricus

#Plato #Young #Earrings

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.
But it would be absolutely mistaken to regard a wealth of theoretical knowledge as characteristic proof for the qualities and abilities of a leader.
Whether statistics be an art or a science... or a scientific art, we concern ourselves little. It is the basis of social and political dynamics, and affords the only secure ground on which the truth or falsehood of the theories and hypotheses of that complicated science can be brought to the test.
Where lies the line between sorcery and science? It is only a matter of terminology, my friend.
Lawyers are the first refuge of the incompetent.
The man who pauses on the paths of treason, Halts on a quicksand, the first step engulfs him.
When I first started, I just wanted to work. I wouldn't necessarily do anything, but I'd pretty much almost do anything at the very beginning.
N'attendez pas le jugement dernier. Il a lieu tous les jours. Do not wait for the last judgment. It happens every day.
Normally, small talk is enough for me to form an opinion of someone. I make quick judgments, often completely wrong, and then stick by them rigidly.
Judgment of eye, speed and attack are the basis of victory.

Sextus Empiricus famous quotes

You may also like: