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.
Similar quotes
All societies wrestle with the scourge of prejudice, but validating that prejudice in statute makes a virtue of oppression.
None of us live single-issue lives... That is why intersectionality is a strength, not a weakness.
Spirit itself is not human; it may spring up in any life... it may exist in all animals, and who know in how many undreamt-of beings, or in the midst of what worlds?
We cannot restore integrity and morality to our society until each of us-singly and individually-takes responsibility for our actions.
Justice is the most important thing. In a plural society like Malaysia, you cannot have two laws - one law for the Muslim, one law for the non-Muslim.
I would proclaim that the vast majority of what [say, Scientific American] is true-yet my ability to defend such a claim is weaker than I would like. And most likely the readers, authors, and editors of that magazine would be equally hard pressed to come up with cogent, non-technical arguments convincing a skeptic of this point, especially if pitted against a clever lawyer arguing the contrary. How come Truth is such a slippery beast?