Man, being the servant and interpreter of Nature, can do and understand so much and so much only as he has observed in fact or in thought of the course of nature. Beyond this he neither knows anything nor can do anything.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humans can only understand and act upon what they have observed in nature. Beyond observation, knowledge and capability are limited.
- In plain terms
- We can only do and know what we have observed in nature.
- What can you take from it?
- Base your understanding and actions on direct observation of nature.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What limits your understanding of a situation?
- How much do you rely on observation versus assumption?
Another view
Sometimes intuition or theory precedes observation.
More from Francis Bacon
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