All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own.
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead
Most man only care for science so far as they get a living by it, and that they worship even error when it affords them a subsistence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Many people value science only for its practical benefits and may ignore its flaws if it helps them make a living.
This quote reflects the idea that most individuals engage with science primarily out of self-interest, using it as a means to earn a livelihood. Goethe suggests that people may even overlook scientific inaccuracies when those inaccuracies provide them with economic stability, highlighting a potential disconnect between true scientific inquiry and practical application in everyday life.
Themes
ScienceTruthLivingErrorValue
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the ethical implications of science in society.
More from Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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