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George Sarton

George Sarton Quotes

Historian of Science

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Famous George Sarton Quotes

“In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very high. The early men of science were left very much to themselves and such a phrase as "the scientific culture of Alexandria in the third century B.C." does not cover any reality. In a sense, this is still true today; the real pioneers are so far ahead of the crowd (even a very literate crowd) that they remain almost alone.”

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Author:George Sarton
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“All men are our brothers. As far as the discovery of the truth is concerned, they are all working for the same purpose; they may be separated by the accidents of space and time, and by the exigencies of race, religion, nationality, and other groupings; from the point of view of eternity they are working together.”

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Book:Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C.
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“Men of science have made abundant mistakes of every kind; their knowledge has improved only because of their gradual abandonment of ancient errors, poor approximations, and premature conclusions.”

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Book:A History of Science: Hellenistic science and culture in the last three centuries B.C
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“The main duty of the historian of mathematics, as well as his fondest privilege, is to explain the humanity of mathematics, to illustrate its greatness, beauty and dignity, and to describe how the incessant efforts and accumulated genius of many generations have built up that magnificent monument, the object of our most legitimate pride as men, and of our wonder, humility and thankfulness, as individuals. The study of the history of mathematics will not make better mathematicians but gentler ones, it will enrich their minds, mellow their hearts, and bring out their finer qualities.”

MenMindWellsHeartHumanityIndividualEffortQualityWonderStudyGenerationsObjectsGreatnessHumilityDutyPrideGeniusBuiltDignityMathematicsHistoricalPrivilegeMathematicalHistorianMagnificentMathematicianThankfulnessMonumentMellowIncessantMathematical Beauty
Book:The study of the history of mathematics and the study of the history of science
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