---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whereas, to borrow an illustration from…"
description: "\"Whereas, to borrow an illustration from mathematics, life was formerly an equation of, say, 100 unknown quantities, it is now one of 99 only, inasmuch ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/samuel-butler-823_equations_whereas-to-borrow-an-illustration-from-m_1190845.jpg"
---

#  Whereas, to borrow an illustration from mathematics, life…

![“Whereas, to borrow an illustration from mathematics, life was formerly an equation of, say, 100 unknown quantities, it is now one of 99 only, inasmuch as memory and heredity have been shown to be one and the same thing.” quote by Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/samuel-butler-823_equations_whereas-to-borrow-an-illustration-from-m_1190845.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/samuel-butler-823_equations_whereas-to-borrow-an-illustration-from-m_1190845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/samuel-butler-823_equations_whereas-to-borrow-an-illustration-from-m_1190845.jpg)

> “Whereas, to borrow an illustration from mathematics, life was formerly an equation of, say, 100 unknown quantities, it is now one of 99 only, inasmuch as memory and heredity have been shown to be one and the same thing.”

[Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life used to be seen as many independent variables, but now genetics shows memory and heredity are the same factor, reducing complexity.

**In simple terms:** Memory and heredity are identical, simplifying life's variables.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the unity of genetics and memory.

Themes

science biology philosophy identity

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

analytical philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- medical research
- education
- personal development
- family counseling

Key Concepts

genetics inheritance memory systems theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How does this simplification affect our view of free will?
- What are the limits of equating memory with heredity?

A Different Perspective

This view may oversimplify complex traits and environmental influences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Heredity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heredity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/)

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