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Quote by Giambattista Vico

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The New Science of Giambattista Vico

This seminal text by Giambattista Vico delves into the historical and philosophical foundations of human civilization, offering a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of societies through the ages. more

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Giambattista Vico
Giambattista Vico

Giambattista Vico was an Italian philosopher, historian, and literary theorist, born on June 23, 1668, and died on January 21, 1744. His philosophical ideas have had a profound impact on later generations, particularly in the fields of historical philosophy and literary theory. more

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“In the absence of government each man learns to think, to act for himself, without counting on the support of an outside force which, however vigilant one supposes it to be, can never answer all social needs. Man, thus accustomed to seek his well-being only through his own efforts, raises himself in his own opinion as he does in the opinion of others; his soul becomes larger and stronger at the same time.”

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“The whole life of Demosthenes... leaves the impression of a melancholy state of things, and of the brazen insolence of wickedness. A particularly striking idea of how things really were in Greece can be obtained from one feature of life - the sons who turned out badly.... the sons of gifted but arrogant fathers turned out merely arrogant, the grandsons hopeless; it is respect alone that sustains families and gives them traditions.”

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