Able Quote by Roger Bacon
“No one really knew the sciences except the Lord Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, by reason of his length of life and experience, as well as of his studiousness and zeal. He knew mathematics and perspective, and there was nothing which he was unable to know; and at the same time he was sufficiently acquainted with languages to be able to understand the saints and the philosophers and the wise men of antiquity but his knowledge of languages was not such as to enable him to effect translations until the latter portion of his life.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Opus Majus by Roger Bacon, 1267
Bacon claimed his extensive life and study gave him mastery over many sciences, yet he admitted limits in language translation until later years.
In simple terms: He was knowledgeable but not fully fluent in all languages early on.
Key Takeaway
Recognize expertise grows with time and practice.
Themes
knowledge
humility
learning
expertise
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- teaching
- historical analysis
- personal development
Key Concepts
medieval scholarship
interdisciplinary study
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you address gaps in your expertise?
- What role does experience play in mastering a field?
A Different Perspective
Even great scholars have gaps; continual learning is essential.
![“[I]f in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge in mathematics, in so far as disposed through it we are able to reach certainty in other sciences and truth by the exclusion of error.” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d13/roger-bacon-15067_able_i-f-in-other-sciences-we-should-arrive-a_24209.jpg)
![“There are four great sciences, without which the other sciences cannot be known nor a knowledge of things secured ... Of these sciences the gate and key is mathematics ... He who is ignorant of this [mathematics] cannot know the other sciences nor the affairs of this world.” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/555/roger-bacon-15067_affair_there-are-four-great-sciences-without-wh_575596.jpg)
![“All science requires mathematics. [Editors' summary of Bacon's idea, not Bacon's wording.]” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/49e/roger-bacon-15067_editors_all-science-requires-mathematics-editors_697422.jpg)
