Social media has lots of benefits, but compared to Christianity, it tends to group people by interests. Religion puts you with people who have nothing in common except that you're human. Alain de Botton benefitchristianitycommon Change image and share on social
My writing always came out of a very personal place, out of an attempt to stay sane. Alain de Botton attemptpersonalplace Change image and share on social
We are certainly influenced by role models, and if we are surrounded by images of beautiful rich people, we will start to think that to be beautiful and rich is very important - just as in the Middle Ages, people were surrounded by images of religious piety. Alain de Botton agebeautifulimage share on social
Status anxiety definitely exists at a political level. Many Iraqis were annoyed with the US essentially for reasons of status: for not showing them respect, for humiliating them. Alain de Botton annoyanxietyessentially Change image and share on social
Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that were written because authors couldn't find anyone to talk to. Alain de Botton authorbookbookseller Change image and share on social
There are few more effective ways to promote tolerance between suspicious neighbours than to force them to eat supper together. Alain de Botton eateffectiveforce Change image and share on social
I waste most of the day, then finally start to write around 3 P.M., totally disgusted with myself for my wasteful nature. Alain de Botton daydisgustfinally Change image and share on social
I passionately believe that's it's not just what you say that counts, it's also how you say it - that the success of your argument critically depends on your manner of presenting it. Alain de Botton argumentcountcritically Change image and share on social
I was uncomfortable writing fiction. My love was the personal essay, rather than the novel. Alain de Botton essayfictionlove Change image and share on social
Kant and Hegel are interesting thinkers. But I am happy to insist that they are also terrible writers. Alain de Botton happyhegelinsist Change image and share on social
