Art Quote by Thomas Jefferson
““While the art of printing is left to us science can never be retrograde; what is once acquired of real knowledge can never be lost.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: On the permanence of knowledge, 1790
Jefferson asserts that scientific knowledge, once truly understood, cannot be lost, even as printing methods evolve.
In simple terms: True knowledge endures beyond changes in printing.
Preserve and teach core scientific principles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- public libraries
- digital archives
- academic publishing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure scientific truths survive generations?
- How do we protect knowledge from misinformation?
New knowledge can be suppressed or forgotten without active transmission.