Who said “Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal…”?

Verified

Bertrand Russell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"The Study of Mathematics" (November 1907)

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“Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible; but the world of pure reason ;knows no compromise, no practical limitations, no barrier to the creative activity.”
Verified"The Study of Mathematics" (November 1907) · evidencePossibilities

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "The Study of Mathematics" (November 1907).

APA

Russell, B. (n.d.). Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible; but the world of pure reason ;knows no compromise, no practical limitations, no barrier to the creative activity. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33567-real-life-is-to-most-men-a-long/

MLA

Russell, Bertrand. “Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible; but the world of pure reason ;knows no compromise, no practical limitations, no barrier to the creative activity.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33567-real-life-is-to-most-men-a-long/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Russell, Bertrand. “Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible; but the world of pure reason ;knows no compromise, no practical limitations, no barrier to the creative activity.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33567-real-life-is-to-most-men-a-long/.