“What is it that distinguishes man from animals? It is not his upright posture.”

— Erich Fromm, "Affluence and Ennui in Our Society", in For the Love of Life, 1986

About Erich Fromm

1900 – 1980

German-born psychoanalyst and social philosopher, author of 'The Art of Loving' (1956) and 'Escape from Freedom' (1941).

“In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two.”

“Man is born as a freak of nature, being within nature and yet transcending it.”

“Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve and from which he cannot escape.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”