All the sciences came to exist in Arabic. The systematic works on them were written in Arabic writing.
Interpretation
Ibn Khaldun highlights the crucial role of the Arabic language in the advancement of science and knowledge.
This quote from Ibn Khaldun emphasizes the historical significance of the Arabic language as a medium through which many scientific disciplines were developed and documented. It acknowledges that the systematic exploration and writings in various fields of science were primarily conducted in Arabic, underscoring the cultural and intellectual contributions of the Arabic-speaking world to global knowledge.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of linguistic diversity in education, this quote can serve to illustrate the historical significance of the Arabic language.
Geometry enlightens the intellect and sets one's mind right. All of its proofs are very clear and orderly. It is hardly possible for errors to enter into geometrical reasoning, because it is well arranged and orderly. Thus, the mind that constantly applies itself to geometry is not likely to fall into error. In this convenient way, the person who knows geometry acquires intelligence.
Throughout history many nations have suffered a physical defeat, but that has never marked the end of a nation. But when a nation has become the victim of a psychological defeat, then that marks the end of a nation.
He who finds a new path is a pathfinder, even if the trail has to be found again by others; and he who walks far ahead of his contemporaries is a leader, even though centuries pass before he is recognized as such.
The past resembles the future more than one drop of water resembles another.
I want a laitywho know their creed so well, that they can_x000D_ give an account of it, who know so much of history that_x000D_ they can defend it.
When new cooks come to work for me, they obviously make mistakes at the beginning or there's some messiness to the presentation. What I always say to them is: 'If you were cooking this for your mother or your girlfriend, would you make those mistakes?'
Without initiation into the scientific spirit one is not in possession of the best tools which humanity has so far devised for effectively directed reflection. One in that case not merely conducts inquiry and learning without the use of the best instruments, but fails to understand the full meaning of knowledge.
Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.
We shouldn't be profiting from our students who are drowning in debt while giving a great deal to the banks. That's just wrong.
We need to let our children grow up to face the world armed with knowledge, with much more knowledge than we ourselves had at their age. It is scary, but the alternative is worse.
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