William James Quote: If we remembered everything, we should on most...

If we remembered everything, we should on most occasions be as ill off as if we remembered nothing. It would take us as long to recall a space of time as it took the original time to elapse, and we should never get ahead with our thinking.

— William James

ahead ill original recall remembered

Select Quotes by William James

Religion…is a man’s total reaction upon life.

— William James

Source: The Varieties of Religious Experiences - 1902

Tell him to live by yes and no.
Yes to everything good,
No to everything bad.

— William James

Source: Quoted in The Thought and Character of William James - 1899

Fatalism, whose solving word in all crises of behavior is “All striving is vain,” will never reign supreme, for the impulse to take life strivingly is indestructible in the race. Moral creeds which speak to that impulse will be widely successful in spite of inconsistency, vagueness, and shadowy determination of expectancy. Man needs a rule for his will, and will invent one if one be not given him.

— William James

Source: Principles of Psychology - Chapter 21 - 1890