Ancient portraits are symbolic images without any immediate relation to the individuals represented; they are not portraits as we understand them. It is remarkable that philologists who are capable of carrying accuracy to the extremes in the case of words… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
The main duty of the historian of mathematics, as well as his fondest privilege, is to explain the humanity of mathematics, to illustrate its greatness, beauty and dignity, and to describe how the incessant efforts and accumulated genius of many… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
A deed happens in a definite place at a definite time, but if it be sufficiently great and pregnant, its virtue radiates everywhere in… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
Men of science have made abundant mistakes of every kind; their knowledge has improved only because of their gradual abandonment of ancient errors, poor… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
The history of science should not be an instrument to defend any kind of social or philosophic theory; it should be used only for… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
Greek culture is pleasant to contemplate because of its great simplicity and naturalness, and because of the absence of gadgets, each of which is… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
Some forty years of experience in my field as a scholar and as a teacher have given me great confidence mixed with greater humility. — George Sarton Copy Share Image
It would be foolish to give credit to Euclid for pangeometrical conceptions; the idea of geometry deifferent from the common-sense one never occurred to… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
The historical order is very interesting, but accidental and capricious; if we would to understand the growth of knowledge, we cannot be satisfied with… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
The rationalism of the creative minds was tempered by abundant fantasies, and the supreme beauty of the monuments was probably spoiled by the circumambient… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
If we are generous enough, we can stretch our souls everywhere and everywhen else. If we succeed in doing so, we shall discover that… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
The main, as well as the least obvious, achievement of the Middle Ages was the creation of the experimental spirit and this was primarily… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
On the basis of my historical experience, I fully believe that mathematics of the 25th century will be as different from that of today… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
It is childish to assume that science began in Greece; the Greek "miracle" was prepared by millenia of work in Egypt, Mesopotamia and possibly… — George Sarton Copy Share Image
