Alexander von Humboldt Quotes

1769–1859 Germany

Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt (14 September 1769 – 6 May 1859) was a German naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the diplomat and philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt.

Germany
Explorers
Geographers
Naturalists
Non-fiction authors

Also known as: Humboldt, Alexander von

Random Alexander von Humboldt quote

7 quotes

Only what we have wrought into our character during life can we take away with us.

Seed-grain for Thought and Discussion (1856)

Our imagination is struck only by what is great; but the lover of natural philosophy should reflect equally on little things.

Equinoctial Regions of America (1814)

The expression of vanity and self-love becomes less offensive, when it retains something of simplicity and frankness.

Equinoctial Regions of America (1814)

A physical delineation of nature terminates at the point where the sphere of intellect begins, and a new world of mind is opened to our view. It marks the limit, but does not pass it.

Kosmos (1845)

In order to ameliorate without commotion new institutions must be made, as it were, to rise out of those which the barbarism of centuries has consecrated.

Equinoctial Regions of America (1814)

I despise mankind in all its strata; I foresee that our descendants will be still far unhappier than we are. Would I not be a criminal if, notwithstanding this view, I should provide for progeny, i. e. for unfortunates?

(In 2019) more than 150 years ago, Alexander von Humboldt warned that “the restless activity of large communities of men gradually despoil the face of the Earth”.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Alexander von Humboldt (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.