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I like this quote by Isaac Newton "I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, an
by enjalot 15y ago
I like this quote by Isaac Newton
"I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."
Sums up the futility and the selfish enjoyment of a life of intellectual pursuit for me.
- mdda 15y agoI read it as saying that throughout his life, he continued to experience child-like wonder at the richness of the world, and is trying to be humble about the size of his contribution to history. YMMV.
- enjalot 15y agoI think my interpretation wasn't well put. I also see the child-like wonder, but what it does the most for me is remind me that even someone as great as him feels insignificant compared to the marvels of nature, so I don't need to stress if I don't get everything. I may be lucky to find one smooth pebble or touch an interesting shell.