Have you ever heard of George Bernard Shaw? He was a famous writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He wrote many plays, essays, and books that are still popular today. But he was also known for his witty and wise quotes. In this article, we will share with you the best George Bernard Shaw quotes that can inspire you in different ways.
George Bernard Shaw quotes cover various topics, such as life, love, happiness, education, and society. They are not only entertaining but also insightful and thought-provoking. They can make you laugh, think, and act differently. They can also challenge you to question your assumptions and beliefs and to create your destiny. If you are curious, read on to discover these 15 amazing George Bernard Shaw quotes.
- “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”
The quote means that you should not waste your time and energy arguing with someone who is ignorant, irrational, or dishonest. You will only lower yourself to their level, and they will enjoy the conflict. One should choose their battles wisely and avoid engaging with people who are not worth their attention.
- “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
The quote means that many people assume that they have communicated effectively, when in fact they have not. The message they intended to convey may not have been received or understood by the other person. Communication is not a one-way process but a two-way interaction that requires feedback and clarification.
- “There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart’s desire. The other is to gain it.”
The quote means that sometimes achieving your heart’s desire can be as painful as losing it. You may realize that your desire was not what you expected, that it came with a high cost, or that it left you empty and unsatisfied. Happiness does not depend on external circumstances but on inner values and attitudes.
- “Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.”
The quote means that you should pursue your passions and preferences, or else you will have to settle for whatever life gives you. The lesson that one can learn from this quote is that you should be proactive and assertive in shaping your own destiny and not let others or circumstances decide for you.
- “If you begin by sacrificing yourself to those you love, you will end by hating those to whom you have sacrificed yourself.”
The quote means that you should not neglect your own needs, desires, and values for the sake of pleasing others. If you do, you will eventually resent those who have benefited from your sacrifice and lose your sense of self. You should balance your love and care for others with your love and care for yourself.
- “I don’t know if there are men on the moon, but if there are they must be using the earth as their lunatic asylum.”
This quote by George Bernard Shaw is a satirical remark on the absurdity and madness of human behavior and society. Shaw implies that Earth is a place where other planets dump their insane and irrational inhabitants. The lesson that one can learn from this quote is to question the norms and values that are often taken for granted or imposed by others and to seek one’s truth and wisdom.
- “The liar’s punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else.”
This quote is a moral observation of the consequences of lying. Shaw argues that the liar’s worst penalty is not the loss of trust from others but the loss of trust in others. One must value honesty and integrity and realize how lying can damage one’s perception and relationships. This is one of the most insightful George Bernard Shaw quotes.
- “A fool’s brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education.”
This quote by George Bernard Shaw is a scathing critique of the academic system and its effects on the mind. He implies that a fool can twist any field of knowledge into something foolish, superstitious, or pedantic and that university education fosters such foolishness. One must be wary of the limitations and biases of formal education and cultivate one’s curiosity and critical thinking.
- “The unconscious self is the real genius. Your breathing goes wrong the moment your conscious self meddles with it.”
This quote by George Bernard Shaw is a psychological insight into the power and creativity of the unconscious mind. He suggests that the conscious mind interferes with the natural and spontaneous processes of the unconscious, such as breathing, and makes them worse. One must trust one’s intuition and imagination and avoid overthinking and rationalizing everything.
- “If you leave the smallest corner of your head vacant for a moment, other people’s opinions will rush in from all quarters.”
This quote is practical advice on the importance of having one’s mind and judgment. Shaw warns that if one does not fill one’s head with one’s thoughts and opinions, one will be easily influenced and swayed by others. A person must think for themselves and resist the pressure and temptation of conformity and popularity.
- “Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing: age, which forgives itself everything, is forgiven nothing.”
This quote is a paradoxical contrast between youth and age. Shaw implies that young people are too harsh and critical of themselves, while old people are too lenient and indulgent of themselves. One must balance self-acceptance and self-improvement and recognize the value and limitations of each stage of life.
- “Hell is paved with good intentions, not with bad ones. All men mean well.”
This quote implies that actions matter more than intentions. He suggests that many people who do evil deeds are not malicious but misguided or ignorant. We should think carefully about the consequences of our actions and not rely on our good intentions alone. This is one of the best George Bernard Shaw quotes since it tells us the reality of humanity.
- “Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.”
This quote means that life is a mixture of comedy and tragedy, and neither aspect diminishes the other. The moral lesson one can learn from this quote is to appreciate both the humor and the seriousness of life and not let one overshadow the other. This is one of the most amusing George Bernard Shaw quotes since it tells us the absurdity of human life.
- “Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.”
This quote means that power itself is not evil, but it can be misused by foolish or ignorant people who do not understand its responsibility or consequences. The lesson one can learn from this quote is to be careful of who we entrust with power and to be wise and ethical when we have power ourselves.
- “That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your enemy at a disadvantage; and never, on any account, fight him on equal terms.”
This quote means that one should always seek an advantage over one’s opponent in a conflict and avoid engaging them on fairgrounds. One should be strategic, cunning, and opportunistic to win a fight, rather than relying on brute force or courage alone. This is one of the George Bernard Shaw quotes that tells us how to think like an effective leader.
George Bernard Shaw was a brilliant and influential writer who left behind a legacy of memorable and meaningful quotes. His quotes can inspire us to be more creative, courageous, and meaningful in our lives. They can also challenge us to think critically, independently, and humorously about ourselves and our world. We hope that you enjoyed and learned from these unique George Bernard Shaw quotes and that you will share them with others. Thank you for reading.
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