The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Philosophy dwells aloft in the Temple of Science, the divinity of its inmost shrine; her dictates descend among men, but she herself descends not : whoso would behold her must climb with long and laborious effort, nay, still linger in the forecourt, till manifold trial have proved him worthy of admission into the interior solemnities.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Philosophy is deeply connected to Science, but understanding it requires significant effort and perseverance.
In this quote, Thomas Carlyle emphasizes the lofty nature of philosophy and its relationship with science. He suggests that while philosophical truths influence humanity, gaining access to deeper philosophical insights requires hard work, dedication, and the willingness to face challenges, much like a seeker who must prove their worthiness to enter a sacred space.
Themes
PhilosophyScienceKnowledgeEffortWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on the relationship between philosophy and science.
More from Thomas Carlyle
All quotes →Thirty millions, mostly fools.
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There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
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For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
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Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
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Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
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