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John Wilkins Quotes

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John Wilkins (February 14, 1614 - November 19, 1672) was an English author, philosopher, and scientist. He is known for his contributions to scientific philosophy, natural philosophy, and religious philosophy, and was one of the early members of the Royal Society.

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All Air Argument Aviation Enough Giving May Men Mind Predictions Adequate

Famous John Wilkins Quotes

“It's a frightening thing. To go to France, the elder daughter of the church, it's always called, and you get the feeling the church has gone away.”

Feelings Church Gone Daughter France Frightening Elders Gone Away

Author:John Wilkins

“Nothing is properly one's duty but what is also one's interest.”

Interest Duty

Author:John Wilkins

“Obscurity in writing is commonly an argument of darkness in the mind. The greatest learning is to be seen in the greatest plainness.”

Writing Mind Darkness Style Argument Obscurity Plainness

Author:John Wilkins

“Yet I do seriously and on good grounds affirm it possible to make a flying chariot in which a man may sit and give such a motion unto it as shall convey him through the air. And this perhaps might be made large enough to carry divers men at the same time, together with food for their viaticum and commodities for traffic.”

Men Giving May Made Enough Might Together Air Flying Aviation Traffic Commodity Predictions Time Together Chariots

Author:John Wilkins

“It is not the bigness of anything in this kind that can hinder its motion, if the motive faculty be answerable thereunto. We see a great ship swims as well as a small cork, and an eagle flies in the air as well as a little gnat. 'Tis likely enough that there may be means invented of journeying to the Moon; and how happy they shall be that are first successful in this attempt.”

Ifs Firsts Wells Kind May Mean Littles Enough Successful Air Moon Ships Motive Aviation Faculty Swim Predictions Eagles Hinder Cork Gnats

Author:John Wilkins

“Science doesn't deliver even that much "truth"; it delivers empirically adequate generalisations, and that is all we need.”

Needs Adequate Generalisation

Author:John Wilkins

“Garner up pleasant thoughts in your mind, for pleasant thoughts make pleasant lives.”

Thinking Mind Positive Thinking Pleasant Pleasant Thoughts

Author:John Wilkins

“It is an excellent rule to be observed in all disputes, that men should give soft words and hard arguments; that they should not so much strive to vex as to convince each other.”

Men Giving Should Hard Argument Strive Excellent Convince Disputes Vex

Book:The Mathematical and Philosophical Works of the Right Rev. John Wilkins, Late Lord Bishop of Chester: To which is Prefix'd the Author's Life, and an Account of His Works; in Two Volumes

Source: The Mathematical and Philosophical Works of the Right Rev. John Wilkins, Late Lord Bishop of Chester: To which is Prefix'd the Author's Life, and an Account of His Works; in Two Volumes

“'Tis certain that our senses are extremely disproportioned for comprehending the whole compass and latitude of things.”

Whole Science Certain Senses Compass Latitude Comprehending

Author:John Wilkins

About the Author

Born: February 14, 1614
Died: November 19, 1672
Known for: Author
Quotes: 9

Books & Sources

The Mathematical and Philosophical Works of the Right Rev. John Wilkins, Late Lord Bishop of Chester: To which is Prefix'd the Author's Life, and an Account of His Works; in Two VolumesRelated source material

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