We must frankly confess, then, using our empirical common sense and ordinary practical prejudices, that in the world that actually is, the virtues of sympathy, charity, and non-resistance may be, and often have been, manifested in excess. … You will agree to this in general, for in spite of the Gospel, in spite of Quakerism, in spite of Tolstoi, you believe in fighting fire with fire, in shooting down usurpers, locking up thieves, and freezing out vagabonds and swindlers.

William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
The Varieties of Religious Experience, Lectures 14 & 15 “The Value of Saintliness” (1902)
    (Source)

 
Added on 14-Nov-12 | Last updated 14-Nov-12
Link to this post | No comments
More quotes by James, William

Thoughts? Comments? Corrections? Feedback?