Whether man is disposed to yield to nature or to oppose her, he cannot do without a correct understanding of her language
Interpretation
Understanding nature's language is essential for coexistence and respect towards it.
This quote emphasizes the importance of comprehending the natural world's laws and principles, suggesting that whether one chooses to embrace or challenge nature, a deep understanding of its 'language' is crucial. Jean Rostand highlights that our relationship with nature is complex and requires learning and adaptation to ensure harmony and sustainability.
In practice
During a speech on environmental conservation, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of understanding natural ecosystems.
If a given scientist had not made a given discovery, someone else would have done so a little later. Johann Mendel dies unknown after having discovered the laws of heredity: thirty-five years later, three men rediscover them. But the book that is not written will never be written. The premature death of a great scientist delays humanity; that of a great writer deprives it.
Certain brief sentences are peerless in their ability to give one the feeling that nothing remains to be said.
My pessimism extends to the point of even suspecting the sincerity of other pessimists.
We spend our time envying people whom we wouldn't wish to be.
Stupidity, outrage, vanity, cruelty, iniquity, bad faith, falsehood - we fail to see the whole array when it is facing in the same direction as we.
When a scientist is ahead of his times, it is often through misunderstanding of current, rather than intuition of future truth. In science there is never any error so gross that it won't one day, from some perspective, appear prophetic.
The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.
Those who speak much are blamed, those who speak little are blamed. In this world there are none who are not blamed. Try not to blame.
If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy. But since I am not, I do not care.
Serenity comes from the ability to say βYesβ to existence. Courage comes from the ability to say βNoβ to the wrong choices made by others.
Metaphysics is the finding of bad reasons for what we believe on instinct.
You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too.
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