George Sarton quotes - page 2

George Sarton was a Belgian-American historian of science, recognized as one of the founders of the discipline. His extensive writings laid the groundwork for the systematic study of the history of science. He devoted his life to promoting the appreciation and understanding of scientific development through history. Here are 42 of his quotes:

Wisdom is not mathematical, nor astronomical, nor zoological; when it talks too much of any one thing it ceases to be itself. There are wise physicists, but wisdom is not physical; there are wise physicians, but wisdom is not medical. (George Sarton)
It is childish to assume that science began in Greece; the Greek "miracle" was prepared by millenia of work in Egypt, Mesopotamia and possibly in other regions. Greek science was less an invention than a revival. View quote
George Sarton
The ability of nonintelligent people to understand the most complicated mechanisms and to use them has always been to me a cause of astonishment: their inability to understand simple questions is even more astonishing. The general acceptance of simple ideas is difficult and rare, and yet it is only when simple, fundamental, ideas have been accepted that further progress becomes possible on a higher level. View quote
George Sarton
Hellenic science is a victory of rationalism, which appears greater, not smaller, when one is made to realize that it had been won in spite of the irrational beliefs of the Greek people; all in all, it was a triumph of reason in the face of unreason. Some knowledge of Greek superstitions is needed not only for a proper appreciation of that triumph but also for the justification of occasional failures, such as the many Platonic aberrations. View quote
George Sarton
Superstitions... are nothing but persistent errors, foolish beliefs, and irrational fears. Superstitions are infinite in number and scope... It would not do to ignore them altogether, only if we should never forget the weakness and fragility of our minds. View quote
George Sarton
Hellenic science is a victory of rationalism. View quote
George Sarton
The history of science should not be an instrument to defend any kind of social or philosophic theory; it should be used only. View quote
George Sarton
Truth is self-sufficient, and there is nothing to which it can be subordinated without loss. When truth is made subservient to anything else, however great. View quote
George Sarton
Greek science was less an invention than a revival. View quote
George Sarton
History has often proved the shortsightedness of the practical men and vindicated the "lazy" dreamers; it has also proved that the dreamers are often mistaken. View quote
George Sarton
Wisdom is not mathematical, nor astronomical, nor zoological; when it talks too much of any one thing it ceases to be itself. (George Sarton)
The general acceptance of simple ideas is difficult and rare, and yet it is only when simple, fundamental, ideas have been accepted that further progress becomes possible on a higher level. View quote
George Sarton
There are two kinds of people in the world, whom we might dub the jobholders and the enthusiasts. View quote
George Sarton
As I grew older my lectures became simpler; I tried to say fewer things and to say them better, with more humanity. This book. View quote
George Sarton
Arabic science was the fruit of Semitic genius fertilized by the Iranian genius. View quote
George Sarton
The main task of mankind was accomplished by Muslims. The greatest philosopher, al-Farabi, was a Muslim; the greatest mathematicians, Abu Kamil and Ibrahim ibn Sinan, Were Muslims; the greatest geographer and encyclopaedist, al-Mas'udi, was a Muslim; the greatest historian, aI-Tabari, was still a Muslim. View quote
George Sarton
Superstitions... are nothing but persistent errors, foolish beliefs, and irrational fears. Superstitions are infinite in number and scope... It would not do to ignore them altogether, only if we should never forget the weakness and fragility of our minds. The consciousness that superstitions are rife in our own society is a healthy shock to our self-conceit and a warning. ...it lets us judge ancient superstitions with more indulgence and with a sense of humor. We could not overlook them without falsifying the general picture nor judge them too severely without hypocrisy. View quote
George Sarton

George Sarton

George Sarton - Image
Occupation: American Historian
Born: August 31, 1884
Died: March 22, 1956
Quotes count: 42
Wikipedia: George Sarton

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