William James — People

Painterly assorted antique buttons arranged in a spiral on plum fabric. — Original artwork

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

William James

Genius in truth means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.

William James

A hand holding a brass magnifying glass over a small gray panel, revealing green detail in one corner. — Original artwork

I believe there is no source of deception in the investigation of nature which can compare with a fixed belief that certain kinds of phenomena are impossible.

William James

The community stagnates without the impulse of the individual. The impulse dies away without the sympathy of the community.

William James