Quote by Thomas Carlyle
When we can drain the Ocean into mill-ponds, and bottle up the Force of Gravity, to be sold by retail, in gas jars; then may we hope to comprehend the infinitudes of man's soul under formulas of Profit and Loss; and rule over this too, as over a patent engine, by checks, and valves, and balances.
Summary
This quote, attributed to Herman Melville, highlights the impossibility of reducing the complexity and vastness of the human soul into quantifiable terms of profit and loss. By using imagery such as draining the ocean into small ponds and bottling up gravity, Melville suggests that trying to comprehend the depths of the human soul purely through economic measures is futile. The quote further emphasizes the futility of seeking control and dominance over something as intricate as the human soul, comparing it to operating a machine with controls and valves.
Topics
Technology
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