“A natural talent is required; for, when Nature opposes, everything else is in vain; but when Nature leads the way to what is most excellent, instruction in the art takes place, which the student must try to appropriate to himself by reflection, becoming an early pupil in a place well adapted for instruction. He must also bring to the task a love of labor and perseverance, so that the instruction taking root may bring forth proper and abundant fruits.” WayTryingWellsMayArtNaturalTalentStudentsBecomingReflectionLaborTasksRootsFruitPerseveranceVainExcellentAppropriateInstructionPupilsAdaptedNatural Talent Book:Selected Works Source: Selected Works
“The light of common sense is fundamentally the same light as that of science, that is to say, the natural light of the intellect. But in common sense this light does not return upon itself by critical reflection, and is not perfected by what we shall learn to know as a scientific habit.” KnowsDoeLightNaturalCommonReturnHabitReflectionCriticalIntellectCommon SenseNot PerfectNatural LightCritical Reflection Book:An EPZ Introduction to Philosophy Source: An EPZ Introduction to Philosophy
“A man, engaged in his simple reflections in everyday life, will comprehend neither the possibility, nor the benefits of self-sacrifice, but, when given ("qu'on lui donne", Fr.) a great cause to defend, and he will find only natural to sacrifice oneself for it.” MenSelfGivenCausesNaturalSimpleSacrificePossibilityBenefitsReflectionEverydayOneselfEngagedEveryday LifeSelf SacrificeDonne Author:African Spir
“There is an universal tendency among mankind to conceive all beings like themselves, and to transfer to every object, those qualities, with which they are familiarly acquainted, and of which they are intimately conscious. We find human faces in the moon, armies in the clouds; and by a natural propensity, if not corrected by experience and reflection, ascribe malice or good-will to every thing, that hurts or pleases us.” IfsHumansFacesNaturalHurtQualityMankindObjectsPleaseMoonReflectionConsciousUniversalArmyCloudsTendenciesProjectionGood WillMaliceTransfersPropensityHuman FacesConceivingAnthropomorphism Book:The Natural History of Religion Source: The Natural History of Religion