What Makes Us Afraid Is Our Great

The Greek Word For Philosopher (philosophos) Connotes A Distinction From Sophos. It Signifies The Lover Of Wisdom (knowledge) As Distinguished From Him Who Considers Himself Wise In The Possession Of Knowledge. This Meaning Of The Word Still Endures: The Essence Of Philosophy Is Not The Possession Of The Truth But The Search For Truth. ... Philosophy Means To Be On The Way. Its Questions Are More Essential Than Its Answers, And Every Answer Becomes A New Question.

The Socratic Teacher Turns His Students Away From Himself And Back Onto Themselves; He Hides In Paradoxes, Makes Himself Inaccessible. The Intimate Relationship Between Student And Teacher Here Is Not One Of Submission, But Of A Contest For Truth.

What Makes Us Afraid Is Our Great Freedom In The Face Of The Emptiness That Has Still To Be Filled.

To Decide To Become A Philosopher Seemed As Foolish To Me As To Decide To Become A Poet.

Greatness Of Mind Becomes An Object Of Love Only When The Power At Work In It Itself Has A Noble Character