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17 Great Quotes By Herbert Spencer For Science Aficionados

Famous As: Philosopher and Sociologist Known for His Hypothesis of ‘Social Darwinism’ and the Expression 'Survival of the Fittest'
Born On: April 27, 1820
Died On: December 8, 1903
Born In: Derby, Derbyshire, England
Died At Age: 83
Herbert Spencer was a distinguished English biologist, philosopher, sociologist, prominent classical liberal political theorist and anthropologist of the Victorian Era. He is renowned for his expression ‘survival of the fittest’ which was coined for ‘Principles Of Biology’ and is quoted extensively till date. An all-embracing concept of evolution was also developed by him. He expressed his opinions, thoughts and viewpoints as a polymath on a vast range of subjects including literature, psychology, ethics, political theory, religion, astronomy, economics, anthropology, biology, philosophy and sociology. He achieved a lot of authority especially in English-speaking academia during his lifetime. Following is a corpus of quotable quotes and sayings by the renowned philosopher which are relevant to this date. Let us see what we can learn from the thoughts and quotes by Herbert Spencer on knowledge, benefit, ignorance, adjustment, slavery, government, morality, duty, life, success, happiness, progress, music, human-spirit, divine, change, feelings, intellect, moment, risk, immoral, science, ideas etc.
The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

Herbert Spencer
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.

Herbert Spencer
Whatever fosters militarism makes for barbarism; whatever fosters peace makes for civilization.

Whatever fosters militarism makes for barbarism; whatever fosters peace makes for civilization.

Herbert Spencer
Before he can remake his society, his society must make him.

Before he can remake his society, his society must make him.

Herbert Spencer
Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.

Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.

Herbert Spencer
The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morality.

The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morality.

Herbert Spencer
No man is equal to his book. All the best products of his mental activity go into his book, where they come separated from the mass of inferior products with which they are mingled in his daily talk.

No man is equal to his book. All the best products of his mental activity go into his book, where they come separated from the mass of inferior products with which they are mingled in his daily talk.

Herbert Spencer
How often misused words generate misleading thoughts.

How often misused words generate misleading thoughts.

Herbert Spencer
We too often forget that not only is there 'a soul of goodness in things evil,' but very generally also, a soul of truth in things erroneous.

We too often forget that not only is there 'a soul of goodness in things evil,' but very generally also, a soul of truth in things erroneous.

Herbert Spencer
Science is organized knowledge.

Science is organized knowledge.

Herbert Spencer
They who employ force by proxy are as much responsible for that force as though they employed it themselves.

They who employ force by proxy are as much responsible for that force as though they employed it themselves.

Herbert Spencer
No one can be perfectly happy till all are happy.

No one can be perfectly happy till all are happy.

Herbert Spencer
Love is life's end, but never ending. Love is life's wealth, never spent, but ever spending. Love's life's reward, rewarded in rewarding.

Love is life's end, but never ending. Love is life's wealth, never spent, but ever spending. Love's life's reward, rewarded in rewarding.

Herbert Spencer
Increasing power of a growing administrative organization is accompanied by decreasing power of the rest of the society to resist its further growth and control.

Increasing power of a growing administrative organization is accompanied by decreasing power of the rest of the society to resist its further growth and control.

Herbert Spencer
This survival of the fittest which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called 'natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life.

This survival of the fittest which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called 'natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life.

Herbert Spencer
In the course of social evolution, usage precedes law; and that when usage has been well established it becomes law by receiving authoritative endorsement and defined form.

In the course of social evolution, usage precedes law; and that when usage has been well established it becomes law by receiving authoritative endorsement and defined form.

Herbert Spencer
Education has for its object the formation of character.

Education has for its object the formation of character.

Herbert Spencer