It is wrong for a man to say that he is certain of the objective truth of any proposition unless he can produce evidence which logically justifies that certainty.
Thomas HuxleyRead
And you very soon find out, if you have not found it out before, that patience and tenacity of purpose are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Patience and perseverance are more valuable than mere intelligence.
In this quote, Thomas Huxley emphasizes the importance of patience and determination over simply being clever. While intelligence can provide insights and solutions, it is the sustained effort and commitment to a purpose that ultimately leads to true success and fulfillment in life.
Themes
PatienceTenacityClevernessSuccessWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a motivational speech to inspire perseverance among students.
More from Thomas Huxley
All quotes βThe child who has been taught to make an accurate elevation, plan, and section of a pint pot has had an admirable training in accuracy of eye and hand.
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Let us have "sweet girl graduates" by all means. They will be none the less sweet for a little wisdom; and the "golden hair" will not curl less gracefully outside the head by reason of there being brains within.
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The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity.
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It is the first duty of a hypothesis to be intelligible.
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Of the few innocent pleasures left to men past middle life, the jamming of common sense down the throats of fools is perhaps the keenest.
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