Omit a few of the most abstruse sciences, and mankind's…
“Omit a few of the most abstruse sciences, and mankind's study of man occupies nearly the whole field of literature. The burden of history is what man has been; of law, what he does; of physiology, what he is; of ethics, what he ought to be; of revelation, what he shall be.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Describes the breadth of literature as encompassing all human knowledge, while history burdens humanity with its past.
In simple terms: Literature covers all knowledge.
Value literature’s scope.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- research
- cultural study
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does literature reflect human experience?
- What responsibilities arise from historical knowledge?
May overgeneralize literature’s role.