“During the first half of the present century we had an Alexander von Humboldt, who was able to scan the scientific knowledge of his time in its details, and to bring it within one vast generalization. At the present juncture, it is obviously very doubtful whether this task could be accomplished in a similar way, even by a mind with gifts so peculiarly suited for the purpose as Humboldt's was, and if all his time and work were devoted to the purpose.” IfsKnowsWayMindFirstsAbleSciencePurposeHalfKnowledgeCenturyTasksDetailsAccomplishedDevotedDoubtfulGeneralizationScientific KnowledgeJuncture Author:Hermann von Helmholtz
“Science explained people, but could not understand them. After long centuries among the bones and muscles it might be advancing to knowledge of the nerves, but this would never give understanding” PeopleGivingLongMightScienceUnderstandingKnowledgeCenturyBonesMusclesNervesAdvancing Book:Howard's End Source: Howard's End
“The age was still dark and reeked of the havoc and misfortunes of the Goths who had put all good literature to destruction. But, by God's goodness, in my time light and dignity were returned to letters, and I see there such improvement that today I would have great difficulty being admitted to the most elementary classes--I, who in my time was reputed to be (and not wrongly) to be the most knowledgeable person of the century.” PersonsStillsLightAgeTodayLiteratureDarkEducationClassKnowledgeCenturyGoodnessDignityLettersDestructionDifficultyImprovementMy TimeMisfortunesKnowledgeableGothHavocGood LiteratureKnowledgeable Person Author:Francois Rabelais