Inspirational Quotes from Psychologist William James
Discover insightful and motivational quotes from William James, the pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, celebrated as the founder of American psychology.
Psychologist and Author
CloseWilliam James (1842-1910), a renowned psychologist and philosopher, is widely recognized as the father of American psychology. His seminal work, The Principles of Psychology, remains a foundational text and one of the most influential contributions in the history of psychology. Beyond his academic achievements, James was admired for his articulate and compelling writing style. Wilhelm Wundt, often hailed as the founder of modern psychology, praised James's Principles as a masterpiece.
Despite this acclaim, James modestly admitted, "I have no facility for writing, as some people have." The following quotes provide a window into William James’s perspectives, theories, and philosophical insights.
On Thought
"Many people believe they are thinking deeply when in reality they are just rearranging their biases."
"Common sense and humor are essentially the same, just operating at different paces. Humor is common sense in motion."
"Compared to our potential, we are only half awake."
- Excerpt from "The Energies of Men" (1907)
"Wisdom lies in knowing what to disregard."
- From The Principles of Psychology (1890)
"An idea's truth is measured by its practical effectiveness."
- From Pragmatism (1907)
"Truth is something that happens to an idea."
- From Pragmatism (1907)
"If my writing style has merit, it is due to relentless revision. My first drafts are always flawed, but once I shape them into a rough form, I refine and perfect until satisfied."
- From The Letters of William James
"Being a professor is a tough job—paid to talk endlessly! It would be dreadful if everything could be reduced to mere words."
- From The Letters of William James
"Philosophy is simultaneously the loftiest and the most trivial human endeavor."
- From Pragmatism (1907)
On Achievement, Setbacks, and Acceptance
"Embrace circumstances as they are. Accepting what has occurred is the first step toward overcoming any adversity."
"Mistakes are not as grave as we often fear. Given that errors are inevitable despite caution, maintaining a lighthearted attitude is healthier than excessive worry."
- From The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy (1897)
"Our mindset at the start of a challenging task greatly influences its success."
"The sole reason for human failure is a lack of faith in one’s authentic self."
"Rejecting a unique opportunity is as certain a path to failure as trying and not succeeding."
- From The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy (1897)
"All worldly goods fade away. Wealth flies; fame is fleeting; love can deceive; youth, health, and pleasure vanish."
- From The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902)
On Human Nature
"Everyone should challenge themselves daily by doing at least two things they dislike, just for practice."
"The pursuit of happiness—how to attain, maintain, and regain it—is the underlying motivation behind most human actions and endurance."
- From The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902)
"If feeling good alone determined validity, intoxication would be the ultimate human experience."
- From The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902)
"The strongest argument for immortality is the existence of a person truly deserving it."
"Everyone is ready to fight fiercely for a cause. The difference between a good and bad person lies in the cause they choose."
- From The Letters of William James
"The deepest human need is the desire to be valued and appreciated."
- From The Letters of William James
15 Powerful Psychology Quotes
- Psychology
- Student Resources
- History and Biographies
Source
Verywell Mind relies exclusively on reputable sources, including peer-reviewed research, to ensure the accuracy and trustworthiness of our content. Learn more about our editorial standards and fact-checking process.
Schultz DP, Schultz SE. A History of Modern Psychology. 10th ed. Cengage Learning; 2011.
Further Reading
James W. The Letters of William James. James H, editor. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Press; 1920.
James W. The energies of men. Science. 1907;25(635):321-332.
James W. Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking. New York: Longmans, Green, and Co.; 1907.
James W. The Principles of Psychology. New York: Henry Holt and Co.; 1890.
James W. The Varieties of Religious Experience. New York: Longmans, Green, and Co.; 1902.
James W. The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy. New York: Longmans, Green, and Co.; 1897.
By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a specialist in psychosocial rehabilitation, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."
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