Nothing is so dangerous to the progress of the human mind than to assume that our views of science are ultimate, that there are no mysteries in nature, that our triumphs are complete and that there are no new worlds to conquer.
Humphry DavyRead
We must reason in natural philosophy not from what we hope, or even expect, but from what we perceive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We should base our understanding of the world on observation rather than wishes or expectations.
Humphry Davy emphasizes the importance of grounding our reasoning in factual observations rather than allowing our hopes or preconceived notions to color our interpretations of reality. By advocating for a rational approach, he suggests that true understanding in natural philosophy comes from careful observation and empirical evidence, which leads to a clearer understanding of the natural world.
Themes
ObservationReasoningNatural PhilosophyScienceEmpirical
In practice
Example use cases
In a science class discussion, we can emphasize the importance of observing experiments rather than just theorizing.
More from Humphry Davy
All quotes →Every discovery opens a new field for investigation of facts, shows us the imperfection of our theories. It has justly been said, that the greater the circle of light, the greater the boundary of darkness by which it is surrounded.
Humphry DavyRead
The whole language of nature informs us, that in animated beings there is something above our powers of investigation; something which employs, combines, and arranges the gross elements of matter - a spark of celestial fire, by which life is kindled and preserved, and which, if even the instruments it employs are indestructible in their essence, must itself, of necessity, be immortal.
Humphry DavyRead
The progression of physical science is much more connected with your prosperity than is usually imagined. You owe to experimental philosophy some of the most important and peculiar of your advantages. It is not by foreign conquests chiefly that you are become great, but by a conquest of nature in your own country.
Humphry DavyRead
Geology, perhaps more than any other department of natural philosophy, is a science of contemplation. It requires no experience or complicated apparatus, no minute processes upon the unknown processes of matter. It demands only an enquiring mind and senses alive to the facts almost everywhere presented in nature. And as it may be acquired without much difficulty, so it may be improved without much painful exertion.
Humphry DavyRead
To me there never has been a higher source of honour or distinction than that connected with advances in science. I have not possessed enough of the eagle in my character to make a direct flight to the loftiest altitudes in the social world; and I certainly never endeavored to reach those heights by using the creeping powers of the reptile, who in ascending, generally chooses the dirtiest path, because it is the easiest.
Humphry DavyRead
Similar quotes
Truth is in things, and not in words.
Herman MelvilleRead
There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.
John MiltonRead
The curious mind embraces science; the gifted and sensitive, the arts; the practical, business; the leftover becomes an economist
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
No white American ever thinks that any other race is wholly civilized until he wears the white man’s clothes, eats the white man’s food, speaks the white man’s language, and professes the white man’s religion.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
The truth is that since childhood I had cultivated an existential independence. It came from perceiving the adults around me as unreliable, and without it I felt I wouldn't have survived. I cared deeply for everyone in my family, but in the end I depended on myself.
Sonia SotomayorRead