We must think of human progress, not as of something going on in the race in general, but as something going on in a small minority, perpetually beleaguered in a few walled towns. Now and then the horde of barbarians outside breaks through, and we have an armed effort to halt the process. That is, we have a Reformation, a French Revolution, a war for democracy, a Great Awakening. The minority is decimated and driven to cover. But a few survive- and a few are enough to carry on.
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The test of civilization is the estimate of woman. Among savages she is a slave. In the dark ages of read more
The test of civilization is the estimate of woman. Among savages she is a slave. In the dark ages of Christianity she is a toy and a sentimental goddess. With increasing moral light, and greater liberty, and more universal justice, she begins to develop as an equal human being.
Under normal conditions the research scientist is not an innovator but a solver of puzzles, and the puzzles upon which read more
Under normal conditions the research scientist is not an innovator but a solver of puzzles, and the puzzles upon which he concentrates are just those which he believes can be both stated and solved within the existing scientific tradition.
Every man is like the company he is wont to keep.
Every man is like the company he is wont to keep.
You cannot criticize the New Testament. It criticizes you.
You cannot criticize the New Testament. It criticizes you.
...man has an irrepressible tendency to read meaning into the buzzing confusion of sights and sounds impinging on his senses; read more
...man has an irrepressible tendency to read meaning into the buzzing confusion of sights and sounds impinging on his senses; and where no agreed meaning can be found, he will provide it out of his own imagination.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
Without education we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.
Without education we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.
How much easier is self-sacrifice than self-realization.
How much easier is self-sacrifice than self-realization.
This strange disease of modern life, with its sick hurry, its divided aims.
This strange disease of modern life, with its sick hurry, its divided aims.
