The broadest and most prevalent error requires the most disinterested virtue to sustain it.
Henry David ThoreauRead
From religion comes a man's purpose; from science, his power to achieve it. Sometimes people ask if religion and science are not opposed to one another. They are: in the sense that the thumb and fingers of my hands are opposed to one another. It is an opposition by means of which anything can be grasped.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the relationship between religion and science, suggesting they serve complementary roles in human life.
William Henry Bragg highlights the idea that religion provides humanity with purpose and meaning, while science equips us with the tools and knowledge to fulfill that purpose. Rather than being in direct conflict, he suggests that religion and science are like the opposable thumb and fingers of a hand—distinct yet essential for grasping and understanding life. The interplay between these two realms allows for a more comprehensive grasp of existence.
Themes
PurposeScienceReligionOppositionUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the value of interdisciplinary studies, one might use this quote to illustrate how different fields can complement each other.
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