Admiration Quote by George Henry Lewes
“Roger_Bacon" title="Roger Bacon">Roger Bacon expressed a feeling which afterwards moved many minds, when he said that if he had the power he would burn all the works of the Stagirite, since the study of them was not simply loss of time, but multiplication of ignorance. Yet in spite of this outbreak every page is studded with citations from Aristotle, of whom he everywhere speaks in the highest admiration.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life of Roger Bacon by George Henry Lewes, 1865
Bacon criticized Aristotle’s work as potentially misleading, yet he still relied heavily on it, showing tension between critique and dependence.
In simple terms: He warned Aristotle could mislead, but still cited him often.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the value in sources even when questioning them.
Themes
critique
dependence
intellectual honesty
historical scholarship
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- philosophical study
- historical analysis
- teaching curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
scholarly practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance criticism with use of a source?
- When is it acceptable to cite work you disagree with?
A Different Perspective
His reliance on Aristotle may reflect limited alternatives rather than true endorsement.
