Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.
Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that scientific endeavors start with philosophical questions and ideas, ultimately resulting in artistic achievements.
Will Durant's quote illustrates the journey of science, showing that it begins with philosophical inquiries that inspire hypotheses. These theories then translate into practical achievements, reflecting creativity and artistry in unfurling the complexities of the world around us. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of thought, experimentation, and artistic expression in the quest for knowledge.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the evolution of scientific thought, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of philosophical questioning.
More from Will Durant
All quotes βThe greatest question of our time is not communism vs. individualism, not Europe vs. America, not even the East vs. the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God.
If we have never been amazed by the very fact that we exist, we are squandering the greatest fact of all.
Philosophy is harmonized knowledge making a harmonious life; it is the self-discipline which lifts us to serenity and freedom. Knowledge is power, but only wisdom is liberty.
If you wish to be loved, be modest; if you wish to be admired, be proud; if you wish both, combine external modesty with internal pride.
When liberty destroys order the hunger for order will destroy liberty.
Similar quotes
Liberty is not just an idea, an abstract principle. It is power, effective power to do specific things. There is no such thing as liberty in general; liberty, so to speak, at large.
There is no person without a world.
The same principles which at first view lead to skepticism, pursued to a certain point, bring men back to common sense.
Yes, it was too late, and Sabina knew she would leave Paris, move on, and on again, because were she to die here they would cover her up with a stone, and in the mind of a woman for whom no place is home the thought of an end to all flight is unbearable.
What is it to be a fool for Christ? It is to control one's thoughts when they stray out of line. It is to make the mind empty and free.
Our greatest pretenses are built up not to hide the evil and the ugly in us, but our emptiness. The hardest thing to hide is something that is not there.