Julien Offray de La Mettrie: Man

Julien Offray de La Mettrie was French physician and philosopher. Explore interesting quotes on man.
Julien Offray de La Mettrie: 84 quotes2 likes

“It is not enough for a wise man to study nature and truth; he should dare state truth for the benefit of the few who are willing and able to think.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

Man a Machine (1747), p. 85

“In general, the form and the structure of the brains of quadrupeds are almost the same as those of the brain of man…”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

Man a Machine (1747)

“I reduce to two the systems of philosophy which deal with man's soul. The first and older system is materialism; the second is spiritualism.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

p, 125
Man a Machine (1747)

“[W]hy should we divide the sensitive principle which thinks in man? …For a thing that is divided can no longer without absurdity be regarded as indivisible.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

Man a Machine (1747)

“The soul is… but an empty word, of which no one has any idea, and which an enlightened man should use only to signify the part in us that thinks…”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

Man a Machine (1747)

“Man has been trained in the same way as animals. He has become an author, as they became beasts of burden.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

p, 125
Man a Machine (1747)

“Man's preeminent advantage is his organism. …Only through nature do we have any good qualities; to her we owe all that we are.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

Man a Machine (1747)

“[M]an… whatever the origin of his soul, if it is pure, noble, and lofty, it is a beautiful soul which dignifies the man endowed with it.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

p, 125
Man a Machine (1747)

“[A] brilliant man is his own best company, unless he can find other company of the same sort.”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

Man a Machine (1747)

“What was man before the invention of words and the knowledge of language? An animal..”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie book Man a Machine

p, 125
Man a Machine (1747)