Aphorisms and Reflections from the works of T. H. HuxleyHuxley, Thomas Henry
Philosophy
Aphorisms and Reflections from the works of T. H. Huxley
Huxley, Thomas Henry
Science
As a matter of fact, men sin, and the consequences of their sins affect
endless generations of their progeny. Men are tempted, men are punished
for the sins of others without merit or demerit of their own; and they
are tormented for their evil deeds as long as their consciousness lasts.
CCCXXIX
I find that as a matter of experience, erroneous beliefs are punished,
and right beliefs are rewarded--though very often the erroneous belief
is based upon a more conscientious study of the facts than the right
belief.
CCCXXX
If we are to assume that anybody has designedly set this wonderful
universe going, it is perfectly clear to me that he is no more entirely
benevolent and just in any intelligible sense of the words, than that he
is malevolent and unjust. Infinite benevolence need not have invented
pain and sorrow at all--infinite malevolence would very easily have
deprived us of the large measure of content and happiness that falls to
our lot. After all, Butler's "Analogy" is unassailable, and there is
nothing in theological dogmas more contradictory to our moral sense,
than is to be found in the facts of nature. From which, however, the
Bishop's conclusion that the dogmas are true doesn't follow.
CCCXXXI
It appears to me that if every person who is engaged in an industry had
access to instruction in the scientific principles on which that
industry is based; in the mode of applying these principles to practice;
in the actual use of the means and appliances employed; in the language
of the people who know as much about the matter as we do ourselves; and
lastly, in the art of keeping accounts, Technical Education would have
done all that can be required of it.
CCCXXXII
Though under-instruction is a bad thing, it is not impossible that
over-instruction may be worse.
CCCXXXIII
There are two things I really care about--one is the progress of
scientific thought, and the other is the bettering of the condition of
the masses of the people by bettering them in the way of lifting
themselves out of the misery which has hitherto been the lot of the
majority of them. Posthumous fame is not particularly attractive to me,
but, if I am to be remembered at all, I would rather it should be as "a
man who did his best to help the people" than by other title.
CCCXXXIV
I am of opinion that our Indian Empire is a curse to us. But so long as
we make up our minds to hold it, we must also make up our minds to do
those things which are needful to hold it effectually, and in the
long-run it will be found that so doing is real justice both for
ourselves, our subject population, and the Afghans themselves.
CCCXXXV
The great thing in the world is not so much to seek happiness as to earn
peace and self-respect.
CCCXXXVI
The more rapidly truth is spread among mankind the better it will be for
them. Only let us be sure that it is truth.
CCCXXXVII
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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