Constitution Quote by George Berkeley
“The real essence, the internal qualities, and constitution of even the meanest object, is hid from our view; something there is inevery drop of water, every grain of sand, which it is beyond the power of human understanding to fathom or comprehend. But it is evidentthat we are influenced by false principles to that degree as to mistrust our senses, and think we know nothing of those things which we perfectly comprehend.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision, 1709
The true nature of even the smallest things is beyond human comprehension, yet we often distrust our senses and think we understand nothing.
In simple terms: Small things are beyond our full understanding.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits of perception.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
metaphysics
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- everyday observation
- education
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
human perception
limits of knowledge
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance trust in senses with skepticism?
- What methods improve our understanding of the unseen?
A Different Perspective
Human senses can be reliable in many contexts.
![“[Christianity] neither enjoins the nastiness of the Cynic, nor the insensibility of the Stoic.” quote by George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fa/george-berkeley-8287_christianity_christianity-neither-enjoins-the-nastine_218341.jpg)
![“[Tar water] is of a nature so mild and benign and proportioned to the human constitution, as to warm without heating, to cheer but not inebriate.” quote by George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b4b/george-berkeley-8287_benign_tar-water-is-of-a-nature-so-mild-and-ben_299364.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
