1001Philosophers

Benedetto Croce Quotes

Benedetto Croce was an Italian historian, philosopher, and statesman and the principal exponent of neo-idealist philosophy in early twentieth-century Italy. From his independent library and editorial offices in Naples he edited the journal La Critica for almost half a century and produced his four-volume Philosophy of Spirit treating art, logic, ethics, and history as moments of a unified spiritual life. The quotes below are attributed to Benedetto Croce, organized by topic.

Benedetto Croce on Freedom

  • Attributed to Benedetto Croce:

    “Liberty is the eternal task of the human spirit.”

Benedetto Croce on Knowledge

  • Attributed to Benedetto Croce:

    “Theory and practice are inseparable in the life of the spirit.”

Benedetto Croce on Mind

  • Attributed to Benedetto Croce:

    “Art is the expression of the singular intuition of the artist.”

Benedetto Croce on Time

  • Attributed to Benedetto Croce:

    “All history is contemporary history.”

Benedetto Croce on Truth

  • Attributed to Benedetto Croce:

    “Beauty is the conquest of expression over inarticulate feeling.”