Quote by Isaac Newton

A Vulgar Mechanick can practice what he has been taught or seen done, but if he is in an error he knows not how to find it out and correct it, and if you put him out of his road he is at a stand. Whereas he that is able to reason nimbly and judiciously about figure, force, and motion, is never at rest till he gets over every rub.(from a letter dated 25 May, 1694)

A Vulgar Mechanick can practice what he has been taught or s

Summary

This quote highlights the difference between a skilled craftsman and a truly intelligent individual. It suggests that a "Vulgar Mechanick" (a common worker) may be able to carry out tasks they were taught or have witnessed, but they lack the ability to detect and rectify their mistakes or navigate unfamiliar situations. Conversely, someone who possesses reasoning abilities in regards to concepts like shape, power, and movement is constantly driven to overcome obstacles and challenges. The quote emphasizes the importance of intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills in achieving success.

Topics

Science Reason Widsom Error

By Isaac Newton

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Both my grandmothers had upright pianos, and I just knew how

Both my grandmothers had upright pianos, and I just knew how to play since I was a child. Nobody taught me. I sounded like a grown-up, and then I learned how to read music. I played so well by ear I could fool the teacher to believe I could play the notes. She'd make the mistake of playing the song once, and I could play it.

Valerie Simpson

Teacher

The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is import

The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans.

Life Quality

Since obscenity is the truth of our passion today, it is the

Since obscenity is the truth of our passion today, it is the only stuff of art - or almost the only stuff.

David Herbert Lawrence

Well, I think indigenous peoples have ways of living on the

Well, I think indigenous peoples have ways of living on the Earth that they've had forever. And they've been overrun by organized religion, which has had a lot of money and power.

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficul

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? I cannot be indifferent to the troubles of a man who advised me in my trouble, and attended me in my illness.

Life Man Trouble

I had to come from something, come from a place that was neg

I had to come from something, come from a place that was negative and positive but the majority of it is a negative place.

Positive

Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong

Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.

Calvin Coolidge

Strength

Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand.

Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand.

Apathy

Moderate profits fill the purse.

Moderate profits fill the purse.

Italian Proverb

The people that make this country work, the people who pay o

The people that make this country work, the people who pay on their mortgages, the people getting up and going to work, striving in this recession to not participate in it, they're not the enemy. They're the people that hire you. They're the people that are going to give you a job.

Work

I think somehow we learn who we really are and then we live

I think somehow we learn who we really are and then we live with that decision.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Discovery

The only man who makes money following the races is one who

The only man who makes money following the races is one who does it with a broom and shovel.

Gambling (gaming)