Alfred North Whitehead Quotes

We cannot think first and act afterward. From the moment of birth we are immersed in action, and can only fitfully guide it by taking thought.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Action;

Periods of tranquility are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Action;

Without adventure civilization is in full decay.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Adventure;

The total absence of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Bible;
Humor;

Common sense is genius in homespun.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Common Sense;

The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them. When the idea is new, its custodians have fervor, live for it, and if need be, die for it.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Ideas;

Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance is the death of knowledge.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Ignorance;

Fools act on imagination without knowledge, pedants act on knowledge without imagination.
~ Alfred North Whitehead

Imagination;

Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.
~ Alfred North Whitehead