Science has to be understood in its broadest sense, as a method for apprehending all observable reality, and not merely as an instrument for acquiring specialized knowledge.
In man, the things which are not measurable are more important than those which are measurable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that the intangible aspects of life, such as feelings and values, hold greater significance than what can be quantified.
Alexis Carrel's quote emphasizes the importance of the non-material aspects of human existence, such as emotions, relationships, and moral values, which cannot be measured or quantified. He argues that these elements are crucial to understanding the human experience and contribute to a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life, asserting that the measurable attributes of life, such as wealth or physical achievements, are significantly less valuable.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech about personal growth and values.
More from Alexis Carrel
All quotes βMan offers himself to God. He stands before Him like the canvas before the painter or the marble before the sculptor. At the same time he asks for His grace, expresses his needs and those of his brothers in suffering. Such a type of prayer demands complete renovation. The modest, the ignorant, and the poor are more capable of this self-denial than the rich and the intellectual.
Hard conditions of life are indispensable to bringing out the best in human personality.
A few observation and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little reasoning to truth.
The first duty of society is to give each of its members the possibility of fulfilling his destiny. When it becomes incapable of performing this duty it must be transformed.
Discipline brings us effort, sacrifice and suffering. Later it brings us something of an inestimable value: something of which those who live only for pleasure, profit or amusement will always be deprived. This peculiar indefinable joy which one must have felt oneself to understand is the sign with which life marks its moment of triumph.
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Whatever hysteria exists is inflamed by mystery, suspicion and secrecy. Hard and exact facts will cool it.
It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction. This it is the business of the state to effect, and on a general plan.
It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance
Fear of things invisible is the natural seed of that which everyone in himself calleth religion.
The world of employer and employee, like that of master and slave, debases both.
For every nation that lives peaceably, there will be many others to grow hard and push their arrogance to extremes; the gods attend to these things slowly. But they attend to those who put off God and turn to madness.