But by far the greatest obstacle to the progress of…
“But by far the greatest obstacle to the progress of science and to the undertaking of new tasks and provinces therein is found in this-that men despair and think things impossible.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Despair and belief that something is impossible block scientific progress and new endeavors.
In simple terms: Despair hinders scientific progress.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate belief in possibility.
Themes
science
innovation
mindset
Mood
inspirational
cautious
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- research projects
- technological development
- exploratory missions
- educational programs
Key Concepts
epistemology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What obstacles seem impossible now?
- How can you test feasibility before despair sets in?
A Different Perspective
Excessive optimism can ignore realistic constraints.