Anscombe, Elizabeth

"It is not as if I had discovered a philosophical problem that had nothing to do with my life. It was quite otherwise. I had discovered a philosophical problem by discovering something about my own life."

"Modern philosophy has cast off the idea of the good altogether."

"The most dangerous philosophy is that of the modern man who believes he has disposed of the old problems."

"You cannot have a rational discussion with someone who denies the law of non-contradiction."

"Intentions are not magic. They don't change the world by themselves."

"The use of the word 'promising' would suggest that one is committed."

"If you cannot state a position clearly, you do not understand it clearly."

"It is disgraceful to say something merely because it is fashionable."

"The modern age has taught us to say 'values' instead of 'virtues' and that is significant."

"Accepting a nihilistic view of ethics leads to accepting any monstrosity."

"The good life is the virtuous life."

"We have lost the concept of virtue almost entirely."

"The first person to hurl an insult instead of a rock was the founder of civilization."

"Human beings are terrible animals."

"The trouble with modern ethics is that it lacks any sense of real demand."

"One cannot expect to arrive at philosophical truth by consensus."

"Justice is a real demand, not merely a preference."

"The past is not dead; it is embedded in our concepts."

"To say 'I intend' is to commit oneself."

"Knowledge without virtue is like a house built on sand."

"The modern world has forgotten what it means to be responsible."

"Our concepts are our tools for understanding reality."

"Good is not merely subjective preference."

"The language we use shapes the thoughts we can think."

"Moral relativism is self-refuting."

"To be human is to be capable of virtue."

"The destruction of Christian theology has left modern ethics in ruins."

"One must be rigorous or one is merely talking nonsense."

"The virtuous person acts from a good will."

"Modern philosophy is largely confused about causation."