What Des-Cartes did was a good step. You have added much several ways, & especially in taking ye colours of thin plates into philosophical consideration. If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants.

Summary

This quote is attributed to Isaac Newton and it expresses his appreciation for the contributions of his predecessors, particularly René Descartes. Newton acknowledges Descartes' achievements as a positive advancement in philosophy but highlights his own significant progress in understanding the colors of thin plates. He modestly acknowledges that his own accomplishments were made possible by building upon the knowledge and wisdom of those who came before him, symbolized by the metaphorical idea of "standing on the shoulders of giants."

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