Clock Quote by James Hutton
“Time, which measures everything in our idea, and is often deficient to our schemes, is to nature endless and as nothing; it cannot limit that by which alone it had existence; and as the natural course of time, which to us seems infinite, cannot be bounded by any operation that may have an end, the progress of things upon this globe, that is, the course of nature, cannot be limited by time, which must proceed in a continual succession.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Theory of the Earth, 1795
Argues that time is infinite and cannot constrain natural processes, which continue beyond human limits.
In simple terms: Time is endless; nature persists.
Key Takeaway
Respect nature’s endless timeline.
Themes
geology
philosophy
time
Mood
contemplative
humble
Type
scientific
philosophical
When to use this quote
- environmental planning
- long‑term policy
- scientific research
- education
Key Concepts
infinity
natural law
cosmology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we plan beyond our lifespans?
- What limits does time impose on us?
A Different Perspective
Human plans may be short‑sighted.
![“The globe of this earth … [is] … not just a machine but also a organised body as it has a regenerative power.” quote by James Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d5/james-hutton-28638_body_the-globe-of-this-earth-is-not-just-a-ma_200947.jpg)
