--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the…" description: "\"Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the largest and worthiest portion of our knowledge consists of aphorisms: and the greatest and best of men is but..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_abstract_exclusively-of-the-abstract-sciences-the_1795029.jpg" --- # Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the largest and… ![“Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the largest and worthiest portion of our knowledge consists of aphorisms: and the greatest and best of men is but an aphorism.” quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_abstract_exclusively-of-the-abstract-sciences-the_1795029.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_abstract_exclusively-of-the-abstract-sciences-the_1795029.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_abstract_exclusively-of-the-abstract-sciences-the_1795029.jpg) > “Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the largest and worthiest portion of our knowledge consists of aphorisms: and the greatest and best of men is but an aphorism.” [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Abstract knowledge is valuable, but practical wisdom in aphorisms is the highest form of human achievement. **In simple terms:** Aphorisms are the pinnacle of human knowledge. Key Takeaway Seek concise, practical wisdom. Themes knowledge aphorisms human achievement wisdom Mood thoughtful inspirational Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - education - self‑improvement - public speaking Key Concepts Philosophy of language literary criticism cognitive economy Questions to Reflect On - What aphorism guides you? - How can you apply it daily? A Different Perspective Aphorisms may oversimplify complex ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Aphorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorism/) [Aphorisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorisms/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [Aphorisms are not true or false, but pointed or flat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/aphorisms-are-not-true-or-false-but-pointed-or-flat/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [There are aphorisms that, like airplanes, stay up only while they are in motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/there-are-aphorisms-that-like-airplanes-stay-up-only-while-they-are/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [The best aphorisms are… portable wisdom, the quintessential extracts of thought and feeling. They furnish the largest amount of intellectual stimulus and nutriment in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rounseville-alger/the-best-aphorisms-are-portable-wisdom-the-quintessential-extracts-of/) [William Rounseville Alger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rounseville-alger/) > [“Wonderful aphorism - but we can't take refuge in aphorisms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-feldman/wonderful-aphorism-but-we-can-t-take-refuge-in-aphorisms/) [Morton Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-feldman/) > [Aphorisms are food for thought - like sushi, they come in small portions that are both delicious and exquisitely formed. And, like sushi, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-geary/aphorisms-are-food-for-thought-like-sushi-they-come-in-small-portions/) [James Geary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-geary/) > [An aphorism and its author aren't joined by a dash, but separated by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-alejandro-king/an-aphorism-and-its-author-aren-t-joined-by-a-dash-but-separated-by-it/) [John Alejandro King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king/) > [Aphorisms are essentially an aristocratic genre of writing. The aphorist does not argue or explain, he asserts; and implicit in his assertion is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/aphorisms-are-essentially-an-aristocratic-genre-of-writing-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Good places for aphorisms: in fortune cookies, on bumper stickers, and on banners flying over the Palace of Free Advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/good-places-for-aphorisms-in-fortune-cookies-on-bumper-stickers-and/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Aphorisms are literature's hand luggage. Light and compact, they fit easily into the overhead compartment of your brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-geary/aphorisms-are-literature-s-hand-luggage-light-and-compact-they-fit/) [James Geary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-geary/) > [Aphorisms may equivocate, but they must not wobble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/aphorisms-may-equivocate-but-they-must-not-wobble/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [“Aphorisms should be peaks – and those who are addressed, tall and lofty. The air thin and pure, danger near, and the spirit full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/aphorisms-should-be-peaks-and-those-who-are-addressed-tall-and-lofty/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Aphorisms know the angles, but not the structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/aphorisms-know-the-angles-but-not-the-structure/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [I believe aphorisms are best when first read in the wild, free from the confines of any categories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-geary/i-believe-aphorisms-are-best-when-first-read-in-the-wild-free-from/) [James Geary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-geary/) > [The excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some useful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-excellence-of-aphorisms-consists-not-so-much-in-the-expression-of/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Aphorisms are portable wisdom, the quintessential extracts of thought and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rounseville-alger/aphorisms-are-portable-wisdom-the-quintessential-extracts-of-thought/) [William Rounseville Alger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rounseville-alger/) ## More by Samuel Taylor Coleridge > [Humor is consistent with pathos, whilst wit is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/humor-is-consistent-with-pathos-whilst-wit-is-not/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [The first duty of a wise advocate is to convince his opponents that he understands their arguments, and sympathies with their just feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-first-duty-of-a-wise-advocate-is-to-convince-his-opponents-that/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/and-the-devil-did-grin-for-his-darling-sin-is-pride-that-apes-humility/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Facts are not truths; they are not conclusions; they are not even premises, but in the nature and parts of premises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/facts-are-not-truths-they-are-not-conclusions-they-are-not-even/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [I do not wish you to act from these truths; no, still and always act from your feelings; only meditate often on these truths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/i-do-not-wish-you-to-act-from-these-truths-no-still-and-always-act/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [A poet ought not to pick nature's pocket. Let him borrow, and so borrow as to repay by the very act of borrowing. Examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/a-poet-ought-not-to-pick-nature-s-pocket-let-him-borrow-and-so-borrow/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [With no other privilege than that of sympathy and sincere good wishes, I would address an affectionate exhortation to the youthful literati, grounded on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/with-no-other-privilege-than-that-of-sympathy-and-sincere-good-wishes/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Ignorance seldom vaults into knowledge...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/ignorance-seldom-vaults-into-knowledge/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee, Whether the summer clothe the general earth With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing Betwixt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/therefore-all-seasons-shall-be-sweet-to-thee-whether-the-summer/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Why are not more gems from our great authors scattered over the country? Great books are not in everybody's reach; and though it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/why-are-not-more-gems-from-our-great-authors-scattered-over-the/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Life went a-maying With Nature, Hope, and Poesy, When I was young!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/life-went-a-maying-with-nature-hope-and-poesy-when-i-was-young/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [No voice; but oh - the silence sank Like music on my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/no-voice-but-oh-the-silence-sank-like-music-on-my-heart/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [The three great ends which a statesman ought to propose to himself in the government of a nation, are 1. Security to possessors; 2.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-three-great-ends-which-a-statesman-ought-to-propose-to-himself-in/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [“We in ourselves rejoice! And thence flows all that charms or ear or sight, All melodies the echoes of that voice, All colours a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/we-in-ourselves-rejoice-and-thence-flows-all-that-charms-or-ear-or/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) [Explore all 570 Samuel Taylor Coleridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. 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It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) Anthony W. Ivins > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. 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