Q0487
“Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.” — George Santayana (The Life of Reason)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: The Life of Reason. Theme: wisdom.
English
Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to The Life of Reason and files it under Naturalism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About George Santayana
George Santayana (1863–1952) was a Spanish-born American philosopher, poet, and novelist who taught at Harvard before retiring to Europe. The Life of Reason and Scepticism and Animal Faith develop a naturalistic yet Platonizing vision.
How to read this passage
Unlike mere information, wisdom concerns judgment. Ancient schools linked it to virtue, moderation, and the right relation to desire. This passage enters that discussion through wisdom.
Concepts in this quote
- Wisdom
- Wisdom is practical insight under uncertainty: knowing what matters, what one does not know, and how to act without false certainty.
How to cite this quotation
APA: George Santayana. (n.d.). Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0487
MLA: George Santayana. “Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0487.
Chicago: George Santayana. “Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0487.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you…”?
The passage is attributed to George Santayana, The Life of Reason. The archive attributes this English wording to The Life of Reason and files it under Naturalism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does George Santayana mean by wisdom?
Unlike mere information, wisdom concerns judgment. Ancient schools linked it to virtue, moderation, and the right relation to desire. This passage enters that discussion through wisdom.