It is wrong for a man to say that he is certain of the objective truth of any proposition unless he can produce evidence which logically justifies that certainty.
Thomas HuxleyRead
The known is finite, the unknown infinite; intellectually we stand on an islet in the midst of an illimitable ocean of inexplicability. Our business in every generation is to reclaim a little more land, to add something to the extent and the solidity of our possessions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the limits of human knowledge and the pursuit of understanding the unknown.
Thomas Huxley's quote emphasizes the contrast between what is known and what is still unknown to humanity. He likens the known aspects of life to a small island surrounded by an infinite ocean of mysteries, suggesting that each generation has the responsibility to expand our understanding and knowledge, reclaiming more of that 'land' in the vast expanse of the unknown.
Themes
KnowledgeUnknownWisdomDiscoveryLearning
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of education and scientific inquiry.
More from Thomas Huxley
All quotes →The child who has been taught to make an accurate elevation, plan, and section of a pint pot has had an admirable training in accuracy of eye and hand.
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Let us have "sweet girl graduates" by all means. They will be none the less sweet for a little wisdom; and the "golden hair" will not curl less gracefully outside the head by reason of there being brains within.
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The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity.
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It is the first duty of a hypothesis to be intelligible.
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Of the few innocent pleasures left to men past middle life, the jamming of common sense down the throats of fools is perhaps the keenest.
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