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
What would become of the garden if the gardener treated all the weeds and slugs and birds and trespassers as he would like to be treated, if he were in their place?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that compassion and understanding should extend even to those we perceive as nuisances.
Thomas Huxley's quote invites us to reflect on our attitude towards challenges and unwanted elements in our lives, using the metaphor of a gardener. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and consideration, urging us to treat even the nuisances, like weeds and pests, with the same kindness as we would like for ourselves, ultimately fostering a more harmonious relationship with nature and life.
Themes
GardeningEmpathyNatureKindnessTreatment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about environmental awareness, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of treating nature with respect.
More from Thomas Huxley
All quotes →The 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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