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Single Idea 7910
[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 2. Invocation to Philosophy
]
Full Idea
As though your turban or your clothes were on fire, so with a sense of urgency should you apply your intellect to the comprehension of the truths.
Gist of Idea
Pursue truth with the urgency of someone whose clothes are on fire
Source
Ashvaghosha (Saundaranandakavya [c.50], XVI)
Book Ref
'Buddhist Scriptures', ed/tr. Conze,Edward [Penguin 1959], p.115
A Reaction
The best philosophers need no such urging. I retain a romantic view that we should be 'natural' in these things. See Plato's views in Idea 2153 and 1638. However, maybe I should be confronted with this quotation every morning when I awake.
Related Ideas
Idea 2153
Compulsory intellectual work never remains in the mind [Plato]
Idea 1638
Didactic education is hard work and achieves little [Plato]
The
20 ideas
with the same theme
[encouragements to pursue philosophy]:
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7493
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Let us reason together, saith the Lord
[Isaiah]
|
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1491
|
Everyone has the potential for self-knowledge and sound thinking
[Heraclitus]
|
|
343
|
The unexamined life is not worth living for men
[Socrates]
|
|
160
|
The highest ability in man is the ability to discuss unity and plurality in the nature of things
[Plato]
|
|
1642
|
We must fight fiercely for knowledge, understanding and intelligence
[Plato]
|
|
315
|
Philosophy is the supreme gift of the gods to mortals
[Plato]
|
|
1765
|
Diogenes said avoidance of philosophy is the lack of a desire to live properly
[Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius]
|
|
1695
|
Without extensive examination firm statements are hard, but studying the difficulties is profitable
[Aristotle]
|
|
1576
|
If each of us can give some logos about parts of nature, our combined efforts can be impressive
[Aristotle]
|
|
14052
|
Begin philosophy when you are young, and keep going when you are old
[Epicurus]
|
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13291
|
Slavery to philosophy brings true freedom
[Epicurus]
|
|
14518
|
In the study of philosophy, pleasure and knowledge arrive simultaneously
[Epicurus]
|
|
7910
|
Pursue truth with the urgency of someone whose clothes are on fire
[Ashvaghosha]
|
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3656
|
The greatest good for a state is true philosophers
[Descartes]
|
|
19395
|
Philosophy is sanctified, because it flows from God
[Leibniz]
|
|
2118
|
All other human gifts can harm us, but not correct reasoning
[Leibniz]
|
|
16000
|
Fixed ideas should be tackled aggressively
[Kierkegaard]
|
|
19250
|
Everything interesting should be recorded, with records that can be rearranged
[Peirce]
|
|
14861
|
Philosophy ennobles the world, by producing an artistic conception of our knowledge
[Nietzsche]
|
|
22338
|
An unexamined life can be virtuous
[Murdoch]
|