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Ludwig Wittgenstein Quotes
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228 Quotes on Self-Deception, Wisdom, Life, Death, and Existence's Mysteries

Explore Ludwig Wittgenstein's profound insights on self-deception, wisdom, the meaning of life, death, and the mysteries of existence. Embrace logic and silliness in our journey towards understanding the complexities of the human intellect.

Ludwig Wittgenstein was an Austrian philosopher known for his work in logic, mathematics, mind, and language. He is considered one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century. Although he only published one book during his lifetime, his posthumously published work, Philosophical Investigations, is highly regarded and was ranked as the most important book of 20th-century philosophy. Wittgenstein's philosophy evolved over time, with his early period focused on logical relationships between propositions and the world, and his later period emphasizing the use of words within a given language game.

Born into a wealthy family in Vienna, Wittgenstein inherited a fortune but gave it away to his siblings during a period of personal depression after World War I. He experienced various career paths throughout his life, including serving as an officer in World War I and working in schools and hospitals. Despite experiencing personal struggles and family tragedies, Wittgenstein devoted himself to philosophy and made significant contributions to the field with his innovative ideas and writings.

✵ 26. April 1889 – 29. April 1951   •   Other names Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein
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Ludwig Wittgenstein: 228   quotes 284   likes

Ludwig Wittgenstein Quotes

“It is not by recognizing the want of courage in someone else that you acquire courage yourself..”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 44e

Courage

“It's only by thinking even more crazily than philosophers do that you can solve their problems.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 75e

Problem , Thinking

“To obey a rule, to make a report, to give an order, to play a game of chess, are customs”

Ludwig Wittgenstein book Philosophical Investigations

uses, institutions
§ 199
Philosophical Investigations (1953)

Game

“The logical picture of the facts is the thought.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

3
Original German: Das logische Bild der Tatsachen ist der Gedanke.
1920s, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1922)

“Words are deeds.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Worte sind Taten.
Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 50e

“I never believed in God before.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

that I understand. But not: "I never really believed in Him before."
Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 53e

God

“You could attach prices to ideas. Some cost a lot some little. … And how do you pay for ideas? I believe: with courage.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 60e

Idea , Courage