Karl Popper's most famous quotes
The top 3 according to 44 votes from people: If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant… the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. · There is no history of mankind, there is only an indefinite number of histories of all kinds of aspects of human life. · The attempt to make heaven on earth invariably produces hell.. (Updated Aug 16, 2023.)
From the white swans and the paradox of tolerance to 'the attempt to make heaven on earth invariably produces hell': Karl Popper's best-known lines, from The Logic of Scientific Discovery, The Open Society and Its Enemies and Conjectures and Refutations.
Top 12
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1
If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant… the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945), vol. 1, notes to ch. 7: the paradox of tolerance.
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2
There is no history of mankind, there is only an indefinite number of histories of all kinds of aspects of human life.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945).
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3
The attempt to make heaven on earth invariably produces hell.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945).
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4
He who teaches that not reason but love should rule opens up the way for those who rule by hate.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945).
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5
More people are killed out of righteous stupidity than out of wickedness.
Conjectures and Refutations (1963).
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6
No matter how many instances of white swans we may have observed, this does not justify the conclusion that all swans are white.
The Logic of Scientific Discovery.
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7
We must plan for freedom, and not only for security, if for no other reason than that only freedom can make security secure.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945).
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8
No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945).
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9
Science may be described as the art of systematic over-simplification.
The Open Universe (1982).
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10
There is an almost universal tendency to suspect the good faith of a man who holds opinions that differ from our own.
'The Importance of Critical Discussion' (1989).
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11
We may become the makers of our fate when we have ceased to pose as its prophets.
The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945).
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12
Science must begin with myths, and with the criticism of myths.
Conjectures and Refutations (1963).
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