The universe is so immense that it appears immutable, and that the duration of a planet such as that of the earth is only a chapter, less than that, a phrase, less still, only a word of the universe’s history.
Camille FlammarionRead
What, then, is this blue sky, which certainly does exist, and which veils from us the stars during the day?
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the nature of the blue sky and its obscuring effect on the stars we cannot see during the day.
Camille Flammarion's quote invites us to ponder the beauty and mystery of the blue sky that dominates our daytime experience, while also reminding us of the stars hidden behind it. The statement hints at the idea that there are wonders and truths that exist beyond our immediate perception, encouraging us to look beyond the surface and seek deeper understanding of the universe.
In practice
During a discussion about astronomy, one might use this quote to evoke curiosity about what lies beyond our everyday view.
The universe is so immense that it appears immutable, and that the duration of a planet such as that of the earth is only a chapter, less than that, a phrase, less still, only a word of the universe’s history.
Mathematics, in the development of its ideas, has only to take account of the immanent reality of its concepts and has absolutely no obligation to examine their transient reality.
The calculus was the first achievement of modern mathematics and it is difficult to overestimate its importance. I think it defines more unequivocally than anything else the inception of modern mathematics; and the system of mathematical analysis, which is its logical development, still constitutes the greatest technical advance in exact thinking.
Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been.
As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do not think it can be said that our civilization is threatened by it. ... But a very plausible case can be made that our civilization is fundamentally threatened by the lack of adequate fertility control. Exponential increases of population will dominate any arithmetic increases, even those brought about by heroic technological initiatives, in the availability of food and resources, as Malthus long ago realized.
In spite of the opinions of certain narrow-minded people who would shut up the human race upon this globe, we shall one day travel to the Moon, the planets, and the stars with the same facility, rapidity and certainty as we now make the ocean voyage from Liverpool to New York.
Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.
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