The Best Quotes by Immanuel Kant (Real Quotes with References)

This page features a selection of the best quotes Immanuel Kant. All of these quotes are real and references are given after each quote.

Here are the best quotes by Kant in no particular order:

It has hitherto been assumed that our cognition must conform to the objects; … Let us then make the experiment whether we may not be more successful in metaphysics, if we assume that the objects must conform to our cognition.

– Critique of Pure Reason, Preface to the Second Edition

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Without sensibility no object would be given to us, without understanding no object would be thought. Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind. … The understanding can intuit nothing, the senses can think nothing. Only through their union can knowledge arise.

– Critique of Pure Reason, A 51/B75

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Thus the order and regularity in the appearances, which we entitle nature, we ourselves introduce.

– Critique of Pure Reason, A 125

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I have no knowledge of myself as I am, but merely as I appear to myself.

– Critique of Pure Reason, B 158

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It is precisely in knowing its limits that philosophy consists.

– Critique of Pure Reason, A727/B 755

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Nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of it, which can be called good, without qualification, except a good will. Intelligence, wit, judgement, and the other talents of the mind, however they may be named, or courage, resolution, perseverance, as qualities of temperament, are undoubtedly good and desirable in many respects; but these gifts of nature may also become extremely bad and mischievous if the will which is to make use of them, and which, therefore, constitutes what is called character, is not good.

– Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals, sect. 1

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There is therefore but one categorical imperative, namely, this: Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

– Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals, sect. 2

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So act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as means only.

– Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals, sect 2

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Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and the more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above and the moral law within.

– Critique of Practical Reason, pt. 2, Conclusion

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Out of wood so crooked and perverse as that which man is made of, nothing absolutely straight can ever be wrought.

– Idea of a Universal History on a Cosmopolitical Plan, 6

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Taste is the faculty of judging an object or a method of representing it by and entirely disinterested satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The object of such satisfaction is called beautiful.

– Critique of Judgement

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Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-incurred immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one’s own understanding without the guidance of another. This immaturity is self-incurred if its cause is not lack of understanding, but lack of resolution and courage to use it without the guidance of another. The motto of enlightenment is therefore: Sapere aude! [Dare to know!] Have courage to use your own understanding!

– What is Enlightenment?

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If you want to learn more about Kant, check out the following pages:

• The Best Books on Kant
• The Philosophy of Kant: A collection of articles, videos, and podcasts