The method of scientific investigation is nothing but the expression of the necessary mode of working of the human mind. Thomas Huxley More Quotes by Thomas Huxley More Quotes From Thomas Huxley Agnosticism simply means that a man shall not say that he knows or believes that for which he has no grounds for professing to believe. Thomas Huxley men mean believe There is no sea more dangerous than the ocean of practical politics none in which there is more need of good pilotage and of a single, unfaltering purpose when the waves rise high. Thomas Huxley ocean purpose sea Oh devil! truth is better than much profit. I have searched over the grounds of my belief, and if wife and child and name and fame were all to be lost to me one after the other as the penalty, still I will not lie. Thomas Huxley names lying children Missionaries, whether of philosophy or religion, rarely make rapid way, unless their preachings fall in with the prepossessions ofthe multitude of shallow thinkers, or can be made to serve as a stalking-horse for the promotion of the practical aims of the still larger multitude, who do not profess to think much, but are quite certain they want a great deal. Thomas Huxley horse philosophy fall No delusion is greater than the notion that method and industry can make up for lack of mother-wit, either in science or in practical life. Thomas Huxley method mother life The quarrels of theologians and philosophers have not been about religion, but about philosophy; and philosophers not unfrequently seem to entertain the same feeling toward theologians that sportsmen cherish toward poachers. Thomas Huxley poachers feelings philosophy Unfortunately, it is much easier to shut one's eyes to good than to evil. Pain and sorrow knock at our doors more loudly than pleasure and happiness; and the prints of their heavy footsteps are less easily effaced. Thomas Huxley pain eye doors There is the greatest practical benefit in making a few failures early in life. Thomas Huxley failure success life The scientific imagination always restrains itself within the limits of probability. Thomas Huxley probability limits imagination The rules of the game are what we call the laws of nature. Thomas Huxley expanding-universe law games Not only does every animal live at the expense of some other animal or plant, but the very plants are at war.... The individuals of a species are like the crew of a foundered ship, and none but good swimmers have a chance of reaching the land. Thomas Huxley land animal war As a natural process, of the same character as the development of a tree from its seed, or of a fowl from its egg, evolution excludes creation and all other kinds of supernatural intervention. Thomas Huxley eggs tree character Skepticism is the highest duty and blind faith the one unpardonable sin. Thomas Huxley atheism sin religion It is a popular delusion that the scientific enquirer is under an obligation not to go beyond generalisation of observed facts...but anyone who is practically acquainted with scientific work is aware that those who refuse to go beyond the facts, rarely get as far. Thomas Huxley delusion science facts Of moral purpose I see no trace in Nature. That is an article of exclusively human manufacture and very much to our credit. Thomas Huxley credit moral purpose And when you cannot prove that people are wrong, but only that they are absurd, the best course is to let them alone. Thomas Huxley absurd prove people I have never been able to understand why pigeon-shooting at Hurlingham should be refined and polite, while a rat-killing match in Whitechapel is low. Thomas Huxley pigeons shooting rats I have no faith, very little hope, and as much charity as I can afford. Thomas Huxley charity i-can littles Education is the instruction of the intellect in the laws of Nature. Thomas Huxley teaching law education Can any one deny that the old Israelites conceived Jahveh not only in the image of a man, but in that of a changeable, irritable, and, occasionally, violent man? Thomas Huxley violent-man violent men
