Le Corbusier is an outstanding writer. His ideas achieved their impact in large measure because he could write so convincingly. His style is utterly clear, brusque, funny and polemical in the best way. Alain de Botton achievebrusqueclear 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
What is fascinating about marriage is why anyone wants to get married. Alain de Botton fascinatemarriagemarry Change image and share on social
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
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
It's almost a blessing when we meet people who naturally want to do the sort of things that are in high demand in society. What a gift to do that, as opposed to other people who would say, 'I want to be a novelist but actually I have to be an accountant.' Alain de Botton accountantblessdemand 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'm also interested in the modern suggestion that you can have a combination of love and sex in a marriage - which no previous society has ever believed. Alain de Botton believecombinationinterest Change image and share on social
The Arab-Israeli conflict is also in many ways a conflict about status: it's a war between two peoples who feel deeply humiliated by the other, who want the other to respect them. Battles over status can be even more intractable than those over land or water or oil. Alain de Botton arabbattleconflict share on social
I love the idea of a university as away from capitalist values, where people can do things that don't immediately have to pay their way. It's like a monastery in a way, and that beautiful refuge has been destroyed by dogma about what this stuff is for. Alain de Botton beautifulcapitalistdestroy share on social
