Value Quotes (10)

All schools, all colleges have two great functions: to confer, and to conceal valuable knowledge.
(5 Nov 1908). 'More Maxims of Mark,' Mark Twain Collected Tales, Sketches, Speeches, & Essays, 1891-1910 (1992), 941. In Mark Twain and Brian Collins (ed.), When in Doubt, Tell the Truth: and Other Quotations from Mark Twain (1996), 43.
See also:  |  College (7)  |  Confer (2)  |  Education (118)  |  Function (9)  |  Knowledge (330)  |  School (17)

One of the great problems of philosophy, is the relationship between the realm of knowledge and the realm of values. Knowledge is what is; values are what ought to be. I would say that all traditional philosophies up to and including Marxism have tried to derive the 'ought' from the 'is.' My point of view is that this is impossible, this is a farce.
Quoted in John C. Hess, 'French Nobel Biologist Says World Based On Chance', New York Times (15 Mar 1971), 6.
See also:  |  Knowledge (330)

Positive, objective knowledge is public property. It can be transmitted directly from one person to another, it can be pooled, and it can be passed on from one generation to the next. Consequently, knowledge accumulates through the ages, each generation adding its contribution. Values are quite different. By values, I mean the standards by which we judge the significance of life. The meaning of good and evil, of joy and sorrow, of beauty, justice, success-all these are purely private convictions, and they constitute our store of wisdom. They are peculiar to the individual, and no methods exist by which universal agreement can be obtained. Therefore, wisdom cannot be readily transmitted from person to person, and there is no great accumulation through the ages. Each man starts from scratch and acquires his own wisdom from his own experience. About all that can be done in the way of communication is to expose others to vicarious experience in the hope of a favorable response.
The Nature of Science and other Lectures (1954), 7.
See also:  |  Knowledge (330)

The dedicated physician is constantly striving for a balance between personal, human values [and] scientific realities and the inevitabilities of God's will.
'The Brotherhood of Healing', address to the National Conference of Christians and Jews (12 Feb 1958). In James Beasley Simpson, Contemporary Quotations (1964), 177.
See also:  |  Balance (5)  |  Dedicated (2)  |  God (121)  |  Human (37)  |  Inevitable (3)  |  Personal (2)  |  Physician (138)  |  Reality (20)  |  Strive (3)  |  Will (5)

The Johns Hopkins University certifies that John Wentworth Doe does not know anything but Biochemistry. Please pay no attention to any pronouncements he may make on any other subject, particularly when he joins with others of his kind to save the world from something or other. However, he worked hard for this degree and is potentially a most valuable citizen. Please treat him kindly.
[An imaginary academic diploma reworded to give a more realistic view of the value of the training of scientists.]
'Our Splintered Learning and the Nature of Scientists', Science (15 Apr 1955), 121, 516.
See also:  |  Attention (6)  |  Biochemistry (31)  |  Citizen (3)  |  Degree (4)  |  Diploma (2)  |  Imagination (50)  |  Knowledge (330)  |  Potential (3)  |  Save (4)  |  Subject (11)  |  Training (4)  |  University (12)  |  Valuable (3)  |  Work (42)  |  World (45)

There is another ground of hope that must not be omitted. Let men but think over their infinite expenditure of understanding, time, and means on matters and pursuits of far less use and value; whereof, if but a small part were directed to sound and solid studies, there is no difficulty that might not be overcome.
Translation of Novum Organum, CXI. In Francis Bacon, James Spedding, The Works of Francis Bacon (1864), Vol. 8, 144.
See also:  |  Difficulty (16)  |  Hope (14)  |  Infinite (10)  |  Omit (2)  |  Pursuit (7)  |  Study (33)  |  Thinking (56)  |  Time (55)  |  Understanding (94)

There is no art or science that is too difficult for industry to attain to; it is the gift of tongues, and makes a man understood and valued in all countries, and by all nations; it is the philosopher's stone, that turns all metals, and even stones, into gold, and suffers not want to break into its dwelling; it is the northwest passage, that brings the merchant's ships as soon to him as he can desire: in a word, it conquers all enemies, and makes fortune itself pay contribution.
'Essay on Industry' (1670). In Thomas Henry Lister, Life and Administration of Edward, first Earl of Clarendon (1838), Vol. 2, 566.
See also:  |  Art And Science (17)  |  Attain (3)  |  Conquer (2)  |  Contribution (3)  |  Country (10)  |  Difficulty (16)  |  Enemy (5)  |  Fortune (3)  |  Gift (4)  |  Gold (10)  |  Industry (15)  |  Metal (6)  |  Nation (15)  |  Ship (2)  |  Understanding (94)

There is nothing, in itself, valuable or despicable, desirable or hateful, beautiful or deformed; but that these attributes arise from the particular constitution and fabric of human sentiment and affection.
The Skeptic (1742). In T. H. Green and T. H. Grose (eds.), The Philosophical Works of David Hume (1874), Vol. 3, 224.
See also:  |  Attribute (5)  |  Beauty (33)

Truly I say to you, a single number has more genuine and permanent value than an expensive library full of hypotheses.
Letter to Griesinger (20 Jul 1844). In Jacob J. Weyrauch (ed.), Kleinere Schriften und Briefe von Robert Milyer, nebst Mittheilungen aus seinem Leben (1893), 226. Trans. Kenneth L. Caneva, Robert Mayer and the Conservation of Energy (1993), 37.
See also:  |  Expensive (2)  |  Genuine (3)  |  Hypothesis (83)  |  Library (12)  |  Library (12)  |  Number (45)

[Magic] enables man to carry out with confidence his important tasks, to maintain his poise and his mental integrity in fits of anger, in the throes of hate, of unrequited love, of despair and anxiety. The function of magic is to ritualize man's optimism, to enhance his faith in the victory of hope over fear. Magic expresses the greater value for man of confidence over doubt, of steadfastness over vacillation, of optimism over pessimism.
Magic, Science and Religion (1925), 90.
See also:  |  Anger (3)  |  Confidence (4)  |  Despair (5)  |  Doubt (27)  |  Enable (2)  |  Faith (28)  |  Fear (24)  |  Function (9)  |  Hate (4)  |  Hope (14)  |  Importance (14)  |  Integrity (2)  |  Love (29)  |  Magic (8)  |  Mind (116)  |  Pessimism (2)  |  Ritual (3)  |  Task (4)  |  Victory (3)

back arrow
Custom search within only our quotations pages:
Sitewide search within all Today In Science History pages:

Visit our Science and Scientist Quotations index for more Science Quotes from archaeologists, biologists, chemists, geologists, inventors and inventions, mathematicians, physicists, pioneers in medicine, science events and technology.

Names index: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

Categories index: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |



Site Navigation



If you find this site useful, please add a link from your site.


Today in Science History
Quotations
by scientists, inventors, on science and more.
- Go To Index -





8,502,583


Test Link - Please Ignore








Locations of visitors to this page