Irish philosopher (1685-1753)
I might as well doubt of my own being, as of the being of those things I actually see and feel.
GEORGE BERKELEY
Works
There are two parts in our nature, the baser, which consists of our senses and passions, and the more noble and rational, which is properly the human part, the other being common to us with brutes.
GEORGE BERKELEY
The Works of George Berkeley
Doth the reality of sensible things consist in being perceived? or, is it something distinct from their being perceived, and that bears no relation to the mind?
GEORGE BERKELEY
Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous
It is impossible to understand the weakness of a system without understanding its strength.
GEORGE BERKELEY
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
Whence came this surprising change, that regions formerly inhabited by ignorant and savage people should now outshine ancient Greece, and the other eastern countries, so renowned of old, in the most elevated notions of theology and morality? Is it the effect of their own parts and industry? Have our common mechanics more refined understandings than the ancient philosophers? It is owing to the God of Truth, who came down from heaven, and condescended to be himself our teacher. It is as we are Christians that we profess more excellent and divine truths than the rest of mankind.
GEORGE BERKELEY
The Works of George Berkeley
A mind at liberty to reflect on its own observations, if it produce nothing useful to the world, seldom fails of entertainment to itself.
GEORGE BERKELEY
The Works of George Berkeley
Disputes are not to be decided by the weight of authority, but by the force of reason.
GEORGE BERKELEY
The Works of George Berkeley
If we admit a thing so extraordinary as the creation of this world, it should seem that we admit something strange, and odd, and new to human apprehension, beyond any other miracle whatsoever.
GEORGE BERKELEY
The Works of George Berkeley
Whenever I attempt to frame a simple idea of time, abstracted from the succession of ideas in my mind, which flows uniformly, and is participated by all beings, I am lost and embrangled in inextricable difficulties.
GEORGE BERKELEY
A New Theory of Vision and Other Select Philosophical Writings
Truth is the cry of all, but the game of the few.
GEORGE BERKELEY
Siris
Many things, for aught I know, may exist, whereof neither I nor any other man hath or can have any idea or notion whatsoever.
GEORGE BERKELEY
Philosophical Works
Every individuality is at bottom only a special error.
GEORGE BERKELEY
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
The eye by long use comes to see even in the darkest cavern: and there is no subject so obscure but we may discern some glimpse of truth by long poring on it.
GEORGE BERKELEY
Siris
Westward the course of empire takes its way;
The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day:
Time's noblest offspring is the last.
GEORGE BERKELEY
On the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America
A patriot will esteem no man for being of his party.
GEORGE BERKELEY
"Maxims Concerning Patriotism", Works
To one who regards things with a philosophical eye, and hath a soul capable of being delighted with the sense that truth and knowledge prevail among men, it must be a grateful reflection to think that the sublimest truths, which among the heathens only here and there one of brighter parts and more leisure than ordinary could attain to, are now grown familiar to the meanest inhabitants of these nations.
GEORGE BERKELEY
The Works of George Berkeley
Religion is the centre which unites, and the cement which connects the several parts of members of the political body.
GEORGE BERKELEY
A Discourse Addressed to Magistrates and Men in Authority
It is impossible a man who is false to his friends and neighbours should be true to the public.
GEORGE BERKELEY
"Maxims Concerning Patriotism", Works
Our youth we can have but to-day,
We may always find time to grow old.
GEORGE BERKELEY
Can Love be controlled by Advice?
God is a being of transcendent and unlimited perfections: his nature therefore is incomprehensible to finite spirits.
GEORGE BERKELEY
A New Theory of Vision and Other Select Philosophical Writings