Action Quote by Henry Thomas Buckle
“The actions of bad men produce only temporary evil, the actions of good men only temporary good ; and eventually the good and the evil altogether subside, are neutralized by subsequent generations, absorbed by the incessant movements of future ages. But the discoveries of great men never leave us; they are immortal; they contain those eternal truths which survive the shock of empires, outlive the struggles of rival creeds, and witness the decay of successive religions.”
About This Quote
Source Book: History of Civilization in England, 1857
Great discoveries endure beyond the fleeting actions of individuals, outlasting temporary good and evil.
In simple terms: Great discoveries outlive short‑term deeds.
Key Takeaway
Value lasting ideas over transient actions.
Themes
history
legacy
truth
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- education
- research
- policy making
- cultural preservation
- long‑term planning
Key Concepts
philosophy
eternity
civilization
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we prioritize enduring knowledge over short‑term outcomes?
- What mechanisms preserve great discoveries?
A Different Perspective
Temporal actions may still shape societies despite lasting ideas.
![“Unconscious, perhaps, of the remote tendency of his own labours, he [Joseph Black] undermined that doctrine of material heat, which he seemed to support. For, by his advocacy of latent heat, he taught that its movements constantly battle, not only some of our senses, but all of them; and that…” quote by Henry Thomas Buckle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/henry-thomas-buckle-29673_force_unconscious-perhaps-of-the-remote-tenden_1377449.jpg)
