20 Quotes by George Sarton

Men of science have made abundant mistakes of every kind; their knowledge has improved only because of their gradual abandonment of ancient errors, poor approximations, and premature conclusions.

Erudition without pedantry is as a rare as wisdom itself.

There are but few saints amongst scientists, as among other men, but truth itself is a goal comparable with sanctity.

The most malicious kind of hatred is that which is built upon a theological foundation.

Greek culture is pleasant to contemplate because of its great simplicity and naturalness, and because of the absence of gadgets, each of which is sooner or later a cause of servitude.

It is childish to assume that science began in Greece; the Greek “miracle” was prepared by millenia of work in Egypt, Mesopotamia and possibly in other regions. Greek science was less an invention than a revival.

The main, as well as the least obvious, achievement of the Middle Ages was the creation of the experimental spirit and this was primarily due to the Muslims down to the 12th century.

From the humanistic point of view every human achievement is unforgettable and immortal in its essence, even if it is replaced by a “better” one.

The rationalism of the creative minds was tempered by abundant fantasies, and the supreme beauty of the monuments was probably spoiled by the circumambient vanities and ugliness; in a few cases the Greeks came as close to perfection as it was possible to do, yet they were human and imperfect.