It is unworthy of excellent men to lose hours like slaves…
““It is unworthy of excellent men to lose hours like slaves in the labour of calculation which could safely be relegated to anyone else if machines were used. (Describing, in 1685, the value to astronomers of the hand-cranked calculating machine he had invented in 1673.)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Leibniz argues that manual calculations waste valuable time that could be delegated to machines, freeing thinkers for higher pursuits.
In simple terms: Manual calculation wastes time that machines can do.
Key Takeaway
Delegate routine work to tools.
Themes
efficiency
technology
human potential
Mood
reflective
optimistic
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- research
- engineering
- education
- daily chores
Key Concepts
automation
cognitive load
intellectual freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance automation with oversight?
- What tasks should remain human‑driven?
A Different Perspective
Machines may introduce errors if not supervised.