By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
William James, often called the “father of American psychology,” was not only a pioneering psychologist but also an eminent physiologist and philosopher, who happened to come from a family of notable figures. (His brother was the acclaimed novelist Henry James, and his sister, the diarist Alice James.) His wide-ranging fields of investigation gave us ideas such as “the stream of thought” and the concept of a baby’s impression of the world being “one great blooming, buzzing confusion.” Later in life, James helped establish the philosophical school known as pragmatism, in which, broadly speaking, an ideology is true if it works satisfactorily, but should be rejected if it’s impractical. This quote comes from an 1895 speech at Harvard University, in which James told students, “Be not afraid of life.” The very idea that life is worth living, he suggested, will lead to a worthy existence.
Create the Life You Desire With These 14 Transformative Quotes
16 Quotes About the Practice of Not Giving Up
12 of the All-Time Greatest Zingers
12 Funny Quotes From the Women of ‘SNL’
Quotes for Anyone Who Isn't Where They Want To Be in Life
20 of the Most Popular Quotes of All Time
12 Quotes on Staying Flexible and Open-Minded
19 Quotes To Keep You Hopeful
16 Instantly Recognizable Song Lyrics
13 Quotes To Help You Move On From Past Loves
12 Quotes About Making Big Changes Later in Life