And we was quite sure about that

Writer, mathematician, philosopher and humanitarian Bertrand Russell was born on this day in 1872.

"I have always felt respectable people scoundrels," he wrote. And also:

"The fundamental cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt."

You have to have some absolutes in life

Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard was born on this day in 1813.

"My life is absolutely meaningless." -- Soren Kierkegaard.

I believe this is his birthday

The philosopher Buddha was (supposedly) born on this day in 563 BC. The wise man said:

"Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true."

Profound, I think

Philosopher Rene Descartes ("I think, therefore I am") was born on this day in 1596.

"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -- Bertrand Russell.

Here's mud in your eye

English philosopher George Moore was born on this day in 1852.

"Humanity is a pigsty," he wrote, "where liars, hypocrites and the obscene in spirit congregate."

And today is the first day of the rest of your life

Charles Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts," was born on this day in 1922.

"I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time." – Charlie Brown.