It seemed to be a necessary ritual that he should prepare himself for sleep by meditating under the solemnity of the night sky... a mysterious transaction between the infinity of the soul and the infinity of the universe.
Victor HugoRead
Because a fact seems strange to you, you conclude that it is not one. ... All science, however, commences by being strange. Science is successive. It goes from one wonder to another. It mounts by a ladder. The science of to-day would seem extravagant to the science of a former time. Ptolemy would believe Newton mad.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Science often starts with ideas that seem strange and extravagant compared to previous understandings.
Victor Hugo's quote highlights the evolution of scientific understanding, suggesting that what is now accepted as fact was once considered bizarre or irrational. He emphasizes that science is a progressive journey, constantly building upon previous knowledge while challenging existing beliefs, indicating that radical ideas often pave the way for future discoveries.
Themes
ScienceKnowledgeChangeProgressCuriosity
In practice
Example use cases
During a science presentation to show how radical new theories can change our understanding of the universe.
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Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.... Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!
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