Books Quote by Mary Shelley
““My father looked carelessly at the title page of my book, and said, "Ah! Cornelius Agrippa! My dear Victor, do not waste your time upon this; it is sad trash." If, instead of this remark, my father had taken the pains to explain to me, that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded, and that a modern system of science had been introduced, which possessed much greater powers than the ancient, because the powers of the latter were chimerical, while those of the former were real and practical; under such circumstances, I should certainly have thrown Agrippa aside, and, with my imagination warmed as it was, should probably have applied myself to the more rational theory of chemistry which has resulted from modern discoveries””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 1818
The narrator reflects on a dismissive parental comment that undervalues ancient knowledge without explaining its historical context, leading to missed opportunities for deeper learning.
In simple terms: Dismissive remarks can block understanding of old ideas.
Key Takeaway
Seek context before dismissing.
Themes
education
criticism
history
science
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- parental guidance
- self‑directed learning
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you balance respect for tradition with modern evidence?
- What role does critical questioning play in learning?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes the father’s view is wholly wrong without considering the value of critical skepticism.
