Quotes by Peter Abelard

“I had wished to find in philosophy and religion a remedy for my disgrace; I searched out an asylum to secure me from love... duty, reason and decency, which upon other occasions have some power over me, are here useless. The Gospel is a language I do not understand when it opposes my passion... but when love has once been sincere how difficult it is to determine to love no more! ’Tis a thousand times more easy to renounce the world than love. I hate this deceitful, faithless world; I think no more of it...””

“The heart of man is a labyrinth whose windings are very difficult to discover.”-Heloise To Abelard””

“The first key to wisdom is defined, of course, as frequent and assiduous questioning””

“Come too, my inseparable companion, and join me in thanksgiving, you who were made my partner both in guilt and in grace.””

“Nihil credendum nisi prius intellectum.«Non si deve credere in nulla se prima non lo si è capito. »””

“The master key of knowledge is, indeed, a persistent and frequent questioning. Aristotle, the most clear-sighted of all the philosophers, was desirous above all things else to arouse this questioning spirit, for in his Categories he exhorts a student as follows: "It may well be difficult to reach a positive conclusion in these matters unless they be frequently discussed. It is by no means fruitless to be doubtful on particular points." By doubting we come to examine, and by examining we reach the truth””

“We do many things carelessly or unwillingly, but nothing studiously unless we are willing and apply ourselves.””

“Memory supplies the place of a mistress””

“By doubting we are led to enquiry, and by enquiry we discern the truth.””