William James Quote: A thing is important if anyone think it...

A thing is important if anyone think it important.

Source: Principles of Psychology - Chapter 8 - 1890

Select Quotes by William James

A young woman of twenty reacts with intuitive promptitude and security in all the usual circumstances in which she may be placed. Her likes and dislikes are formed; her opinions, to a great extent, the same that they will be through life. Her character is, in fact, finished in its essentials. How inferior to her is a boy of twenty in all these respects! His character is still gelatinous, uncertain what shape to assume, “trying it on” in every direction. Feeling his power, yet ignorant of the manner in which he shall express it, he is, when compared to his sister, a being of no definite contour.

— William James

Source: Principles of Psychology - Chapter 10 - 1890

All our scientific and philosophic ideals are altars to unknown gods.

— William James

Source: The Dilemma of Determinism - 1884

The divine shall mean for us only such a primal reality as the individual feels impelled to respond to solemnly and gravely, and neither by a curse nor a jest.

— William James

Source: The Varieties of Religious Experiences - 1902