17 November 2019

Thomas Carlyle - Collected Quotes

"It is a mathematical fact that the casting of this pebble from my hand alters the centre of gravity of the universe." (Thomas Carlyle, "Sartor Resartus", 1836)

"Unless my Algebra deceive me, Unity itself divided by Zero will give Infinity." (Thomas Carlyle, "Sartor Resartus", 1836)

"Statistics is a science which ought to be honourable, the basis of many most important sciences; but it is not to be carried on by steam, this science, any more than others are; a wise hand is requisite for carrying it on. Conclusive facts are inseparable from unconclusive except by a head that already understands and knows." (Thomas Carlyle, "Critical and Miscellaneous Essays", 1838)

"Metaphysics is the attempt of the mind to rise above the mind." (Thomas Carlyle, "Critical and Miscellaneous: Collected and Republished", 1839)

"The eye of the intellect 'sees in all objects what it brought with it the means of seeing'" (Thomas Carlyle, [probably quoting Varnhagen von Ense] 1839)

"A judicious man looks at Statistics, not to get knowledge, but to save himself from having ignorance foisted on him." (Thomas Carlyle, "Chartism", 1840)

"Tables are like cobwebs, like the sieve of Danaides; beautifully reticulated, orderly to look upon, but which will hold no conclusion. Tables are abstractions, and the object a most concrete one, so difficult to read the essence of." (Thomas Carlyle, "Chartism", 1840)

"Thought once awakened does not again slumber; unfolds itself into a System of Thought; grows, in man after man, generation after generation, - till its full stature is reached, and such System of Thought can grow no farther, and must give place to another." (Thomas Carlyle, “The Hero As Divinity”, [lecture, in "On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History: Six Lectures", 1857) 1840)

"A judicious man uses statistics, not to get knowledge, but to save himself from having ignorance foisted upon him." (Thomas Carlyle)

"A man protesting against error is on the way towards uniting himself with all men that believe in truth." (Thomas Carlyle)

"Conclusive facts are inseparable from inconclusive except by a head that already understands and knows." (Thomas Carlyle)

"In every phenomenon the beginning remains always the most notable moment." (Thomas Carlyle)

"Once turn to practice, error and truth will no longer consort together [...]." (Thomas Carlyle)

"Science rests on reason and experiment, and can meet an opponent with calmness." (Thomas Carlyle)

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