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Meaning
The quote says that real freedom comes from choosing what to value rather than blindly accepting authority. It suggests that people should be guided by their own sense of the good. The idea of worship is used as a metaphor for committing oneself to that chosen ideal.
When It Was Said
Not documented yet.
Who It Was Said To
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Historical Context
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Source
Mysticism and Logic: And Other Essays (1951)
Original Language & Translation
Originally said in English.
Did They Really Say It?
The phrase appears in the book "Mysticism and Logic: And Other Essays (1951)" by Bertrand Russell (Google Books snippet); no earlier source was checked.
Did You Know?
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About Bertrand Russell
Welsh mathematician and philosopher
Bertrand Russell was a Welsh mathematician and philosopher, and a founder of analytic philosophy. He became one of the leading philosophers of the 20th century, known for work in logic, set theory, and the philosophy of language. He also helped bring philosophy to a wider public through his books and commentary. Outside academic philosophy, he was widely known for his outspoken atheism, pacifism, and opposition to nuclear weapons, and he often wrote on social and political questions.
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Determination: more sayings
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- “I have too much doubt. It’s the bastard child of fear. I hate fear. So doubt sidles up next to determination…”Kim Holden
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More Freedom quotes
- “We are for freedom here in Florida.”Rick Scott
- “We want character but without unyielding conviction; we want strong morality but without the emotional burden…”James Davison Hunter
- “Once you start settling, and letting others control your life, it can quickly become a habit, so it’s best to…”A.J. Darkholme
READ THE SOURCE
Books by Bertrand Russell
The Problems of Philosophy
2007
Roads to Freedom
2007
Unpopular Essays
2020
Authority and the Individual
1985
Autobiography
2000