"

It is not God's will merely that we should be happy, but that we should make ourselves happy.

"

On the other hand, the moral law, although it gives no such prospect, does provide a fact absolutely inexplicable from any data of the world of sense ...more

"

By this freedom the will of a rational being, as belonging to the sensuous world, recognizes itself to be, like all other efficient causes, necessaril...more

"

The main point of enlightenment is man's release from his self-caused immaturity, primarily in matters of religion.

"

The whole interest of my reason, whether speculative or practical, is concentrated in the three following questions: What can I know? What should I do...more

"

Human beings are never to be treated as a means but always as ends.

"

...[M]oral instruction, although containing much that is convincing for the reason, ...accomplishes... little... [because] the teachers themselves hav...more

"

In the physical constitution of an organized being, that is, a being adapted suitably to the purposes of life, we assume it as a fundamental principle...more

"

[It] is nevertheless better than the theological concept, of deriving morality from a divine, all-perfect will, not merely because we do not intuit th...more

"

What is more, we cannot do morality a worse service than by seeing to derive it from examples. Every example of it presented to me must first itself b...more

"

It is impossible to conceive anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except a good will.

"

...in its practical purpose the footpath of freedom is the only one on which it is possible to make use of reason in our conduct. Hence it is as impos...more

"

Inexperienced in the course of world affairs and incapable of being prepared for all the chances that happen in it, I ask myself only 'Can you also wi...more

"

Innocence is a splendid thing, only it has the misfortune not to keep very well and to be easily misled.

"

Without man and his potential for moral progress, the whole of reality would be a mere wilderness, a thing in vain, and have no final purpose.