“Where the roots of private virtue are diseased, the fruit of public probity cannot but be corrupt.”

— Felix Adler, Founding Address (1876)

About Felix Adler

1851 – 1933

German-born American educator, founder of the Ethical Culture movement.

“Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each includes the other, each is enriched by the other.”

“The condition of all progress is experience. We go wrong a thousand times before we find the right path.”

“The rudder of our ship has ceased to move obedient to the helm.”

“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.”