Analogy Quote by Thomas Henry Huxley
““The known is finite, the unknown infinite; intellectually we stand on an islet in the midst of an illimitable ocean of inexplicability. Our business in every generation is to reclaim a little more land, to add something to the extent and the solidity of our possessions. And even a cursory glance at the history of the biological sciences during the last quarter of a century is sufficient to justify the assertion, that the most potent instrument for the extension of the realm of natural knowledge which has come into men's hands, since the publication of Newton 's ‘Principia’, is Darwin 's ‘Origin of Species.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Science, 1885
Human knowledge expands from a tiny known island into an endless ocean, and Darwin’s theory is the most powerful tool since Newton’s physics.
In simple terms: We know little; science keeps expanding our understanding.
Key Takeaway
Embrace new scientific ideas.
Themes
science
knowledge
progress
Mood
inquisitive
optimistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- research
- public policy
- personal learning
Key Concepts
evolution
philosophy
history of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance humility with curiosity?
- What role should science play in society?
A Different Perspective
Scientific advances can be misinterpreted or resisted.
![“In science its main worth is temporary, as a stepping-stone to something beyond. Even [Newton's] Principia ... is truly but the beginning of a natural philosophy. Co-author with his brother Julius Hare.” quote by Augustus William Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/132/augustus-william-hare-7245_brother_in-science-its-main-worth-is-temporary-a_3069238.jpg)
