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.
Alexis CarrelRead
A few observation and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little reasoning to truth.
Interpretation
Too little observation combined with excessive reasoning can lead to mistakes, while ample observation with minimal reasoning can lead to the truth.
The quote by Alexis Carrel suggests that relying too heavily on reasoning without sufficient observation can lead to errors in judgment. In contrast, gathering a broad base of observations, even with limited reasoning applied to them, can guide one more reliably toward the truth. This highlights the importance of empirical evidence and careful observation in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
In practice
In a scientific debate, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of careful observation in research.
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.
Man 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.
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.
Those who desire to rise as high as our human condition allows, must renounce intellectual pride, the omnipotence of clear thinking, belief in the absolute power of logic.
Only someone who is well prepared has the opportunity to improvise.
Then, accepting the help of God and of God's signs, he allows his personal legend to guide him toward the tasks that life has reserved for him.
I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow.
Humans are not the fastest or the strongest animals on the planet, but when it comes to survival, we have had the unique advantage of being clever.
It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.
Only in quietness do we possess our own minds and discover the resources of the Inner Life.
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