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Man is constituted as a speculative being; he contemplates the world, and the objects around him, not with a passive indifferent eye, but as a system disposed with order and design.

— John Herschel A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (1831)

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More quotes by John Herschel

Science is the knowledge of many, orderly and methodically digested and arranged, so as to become attainable by one.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (1831)

Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.

A Toolbox for Humanity : More Than 9000 Years of Thought (2004)

In whatever state of knowledge we may conceive man to be placed, his progress towards a yet higher state need never fear a check, but must continue till the last existence of society.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (1831)

We must never forget that it is principles, not phenomena, — laws not insulated independent facts, — which are the objects of inquiry to the natural philosopher.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (1831)

To the natural philosopher there is no natural object unimportant or trifling. From the least of nature's works he may learn the greatest lessons.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (1831)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Herschel (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.