Ancients Quote by Thomas Henry Huxley
““It was badly received by the generation to which it was first addressed, and the outpouring of angry nonsense to which it gave rise is sad to think upon. But the present generation will probably behave just as badly if another Darwin should arise, and inflict upon them that which the generality of mankind most hate—the necessity of revising their convictions. Let them, then, be charitable to us ancients; and if they behave no better than the men of my day to some new benefactor, let them recollect that, after all, our wrath did not come to much, and vented itself chiefly in the bad language of sanctimonious scolds. Let them as speedily perform a strategic right-about-face, and follow the truth wherever it leads.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On the Evolution of Scientific Thought”, 1885
New ideas often face harsh criticism, yet societies repeatedly repeat this pattern when confronting revolutionary concepts.
In simple terms: Societies resist new ideas repeatedly.
Key Takeaway
Expect resistance when presenting groundbreaking ideas.
Themes
science
progress
resistance
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- public debates
- academic conferences
- policy discussions
- media commentary
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
social dynamics
paradigm shift
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies can mitigate backlash?
- How can we balance tradition with innovation?
A Different Perspective
Not all resistance is irrational; some stems from legitimate concerns about evidence.
