To find yourself, think for yourself. —Socrates In our ever-busier world, where the demands of the moment keep us lurching from one task or crisis to the next, it can be difficult to take a moment and reflect on the most important things in life. The Essential Wisdom of the World’s Greatest Thinkers helps us do just that. Gathered in this collection are hundreds of memorable quotations collected from some of the greatest minds and most important figures in human history. Here are philosophers, scholars, and writers; poets, politicians, and leaders; saints, scientists, and activists. The selections are arranged thematically and illustrate the particular genius of each speaker, even as they reveal certain universal themes common to all of humankind. In this book: ·Aristotle reflects on the beauty of mathematics ·Cicero expounds on the foundations of justice ·Marie Curie marvels at the wonder of science ·Ralph Waldo Emerson opines on the glory of friendship ·Malcolm Gladwell explains why understanding is more important than knowledge ·Abraham Lincoln extols the value of mercy ·Nelson Mandela defines true freedom ·Gertrude Stein reveals the true nature of artists ·William Butler Yeats ponders the meaning of happiness A thoughtful and thought-provoking collection, The Essential Wisdom of the World’s Greatest Thinkers invites us to spend some quality time with this group of extraordinary men and women who have graced and shaped our world with their keen wisdom and insights.