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The Book of Job and the 19th Psalm, which even the Church admits to be more ancient than the chronological order in which they stand in the book called the Bible, are theological orations conformable to the original system of theology. The internal evidence of those orations proves to a demonstration that the study and contemplation of the works of creation, and of the power and wisdom of God, revealed and manifested in those works, made a great part in the religious devotion of the times in which they were written; and it was this devotional study and contemplation that led to the discovery of the principles upon which what are now called sciences are established; and it is to the discovery of these principles that almost all the arts that contribute to the convenience of human life owe their existence. Every principal art has some science for its parent, though the person who mechanically performs the work does not always, and but very seldom, perceive the connection.

Thomas Paine#43

ReligionNatureScience

About this quote

What does it mean?
Ancient texts show that studying creation led to religion, sciences, and arts.
In plain terms
Nature study built science and religion.
What can you take from it?
Study nature to understand knowledge.

Where it applies

  • academic study
  • personal study

Putting it to work

  • study nature

Questions to consider

  • How does nature inspire knowledge?

Another view

Overstates the direct link to modern science.

More from Thomas Paine

  1. That which is now called natural philosophy, embracing the whole circle of science, of which astronomy occupies the chief place, is the study of the works of G…

    Permalink to quote #42
  2. It is a fraud of the Christian system to call the sciences human invention; it is only the application of them that is human. Every science has for its basis a…

    Permalink to quote #44
  3. As to the Christian system of faith, it appears to me as a species of Atheism - a sort of religious denial of God. It professes to believe in a man rather than…

    Permalink to quote #41

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