Our imagination is struck only by what is great; but the lover of natural philosophy should reflect equally on little things.
In plain words
Big things wow everybody. Scientists look hard at tiny things too.
Where these words come from
- 90% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- Equinoctial Regions of America (1814-1829), trans. Thomasina Ross — his own travel narrative, published during his life.
- Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, trans. Thomasina Ross
- 1814–1829
More from Alexander von Humboldt
See allI had said that a knowledge of nature is not absolutely necessary to enjoy it, but that it increases the enjoyment.
Alexander von HumboldtThus, too, descriptions of nature affect us more or less powerfully, in proportion as they harmonize with the condition of our own feelings. For the physical world is reflected with truth and animation on the inner susceptible world of the mind.Alexander von HumboldtWhatever marks the character of a landscape: the profile of mountains, which in the far and hazy distance bound the horizon; the deep gloom of pine forests; the mountain torrent, which rushes headlong to its fall through overhanging cliffs: all stand alike in an ancient and mysterious communion with the spiritual life of man.Alexander von HumboldtVegetable forms, on the other hand, act on the imagination by their enduring magnitude—for here massive size is indicative of age, and in the vegetable kingdom alone are age and the manifestation of an ever-renewed vigour linked together.Alexander von HumboldtLike a limitless expanse of waters, the Steppe fills the mind with a sense of the infinite, and the soul, freed from the sensuous impressions of space, expands with spiritual emotions of a higher order.Alexander von HumboldtThe desire which we feel to behold certain objects is not excited solely by their grandeur, their beauty, or their importance. In each individual this desire is interwoven with pleasing impressions of youth, with early predilections for particular pursuits, with the inclination for travelling, and the love of an active life.Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von HumboldtThus, too, descriptions of nature affect us more or less powerfully, in proportion as they harmonize with the condition of our own feelings. For the physical world is reflected with truth and animation on the inner susceptible world of the mind.Alexander von HumboldtWhatever marks the character of a landscape: the profile of mountains, which in the far and hazy distance bound the horizon; the deep gloom of pine forests; the mountain torrent, which rushes headlong to its fall through overhanging cliffs: all stand alike in an ancient and mysterious communion with the spiritual life of man.Alexander von HumboldtVegetable forms, on the other hand, act on the imagination by their enduring magnitude—for here massive size is indicative of age, and in the vegetable kingdom alone are age and the manifestation of an ever-renewed vigour linked together.Alexander von HumboldtLike a limitless expanse of waters, the Steppe fills the mind with a sense of the infinite, and the soul, freed from the sensuous impressions of space, expands with spiritual emotions of a higher order.Alexander von HumboldtThe desire which we feel to behold certain objects is not excited solely by their grandeur, their beauty, or their importance. In each individual this desire is interwoven with pleasing impressions of youth, with early predilections for particular pursuits, with the inclination for travelling, and the love of an active life.Alexander von HumboldtMore on nature
All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child.
Marie CurieNature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
Lao TzuWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
PlatoClouds come floating into my life from other days no longer to shed rain or usher storm but to give colour to my sunset sky.
Rabindranath TagoreThe creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.
Ralph Waldo EmersonAll art is but imitation of nature.
Seneca
Marie CurieNature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.Lao TzuWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.PlatoClouds come floating into my life from other days no longer to shed rain or usher storm but to give colour to my sunset sky.Rabindranath TagoreThe creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.Ralph Waldo EmersonAll art is but imitation of nature.Seneca