Adversaries Quote by Isaac Newton
“When the adversaries of Erasmus had got the Trinity into his edition, they threw by their manuscript as an old almanac out of date.”
About This Quote
Critics of Erasmus used outdated arguments, treating his work as obsolete, highlighting how opponents cling to old ideas to dismiss new ones.
In simple terms: Opponents cling to old ideas to dismiss fresh work.
Key Takeaway
Beware of dismissing new ideas with outdated critiques.
Themes
history
skepticism
intellectual honesty
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- religious reform
- scientific progress
Key Concepts
philosophy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate the relevance of past critiques?
- When is it appropriate to reject old ideas?
A Different Perspective
Old arguments may still hold value in certain contexts.
![“I understood that you would take the Human Race in the concrete, have exploded the absurd notion of Pope's Essay on Man, [Erasmus] Darwin, and all the countless Believers-even (strange to say) among Xtians-of Man's having progressed from an Ouran Outang state-so contrary to all History, to all…” quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d9/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_absurd_i-understood-that-you-would-take-the-hum_1607354.jpg)
![“It was expected, however, that [Erasmus] should make some reply and give some definition. But instead, by availing himself of a rhetorical transition, he drags us who knew nothing of rhetoric away with him, as if the matter at issue here were of no moment, but simply a lot of quibbling, and dashes…” quote by Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/054/martin-luther-106_erasmus_it-was-expected-however-that-erasmus-sho_455257.jpg)
![“Do not Bodies act upon Light at a distance, and by their action bend its Rays; and is not this action (caeteris paribus) [all else being equal] strongest at the least distance?” quote by Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f9c/isaac-newton-1226_action_do-not-bodies-act-upon-light-at-a-distan_90238.jpg)
![“I am ashamed to tell you to how many figures I carried these calculations [of Pi], having no other business at the time” quote by Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/93f/isaac-newton-1226_ashamed_i-am-ashamed-to-tell-you-to-how-many-fig_106544.jpg)
