Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.
Charles DarwinRead
...I have always maintained that, excepting fools, men did not differ much in intellect, only in zeal and hard work; and I still think there is an eminently important difference.
Interpretation
Intellect varies little among men; the key distinctions lie in their passion and effort.
In this quote, Charles Darwin suggests that the differences in intelligence among individuals are minimal. Instead, what truly sets people apart is their level of enthusiasm and dedication to their pursuits, implying that hard work and passion are significant determinants of success and achievement.
In practice
During a motivational speech for students emphasizing the importance of effort over natural talent.
Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.
The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science....It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw[s] & holes as sound parts.
We cannot fathom the marvelous complexity of an organic being; but on the hypothesis here advanced this complexity is much increased. Each living creature must be looked at as a microcosm--a little universe, formed of a host of self-propagating organisms, inconceivably minute and as numerous as the stars in heaven.
I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
we are always slow in admitting any great change of which we do not see the intermediate steps
So with each advance in understanding come new questions. So we need to be very humble. We shouldnβt have hubris and think that we can understand everything. But history tells us that there is good reason to believe that we will continue making fantastic progress in the years ahead.
Failure to plan brings barrenness and sterility. Fate brushes man with its wings, but we make our own fate largely.
There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.
His past was fairly blameless; few men could read the rolls of their life with less apprehension; yet he was humbled to the dust by the many ill things he had done, and raised up again into sober and fearful gratitude by the many he had come so near to doing, yet avoided.
You need an incredible amount of self-confidence to go digging around in someone's brain.
Why do they make things so complicated?" "So that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand.," he said. "Imagine if everyone went around transforming lead into gold. Gold would lose its value." "It's those who are persistent, and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the Master Work.
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