"It is good a philosopher should remind himself, now and then, that he is a particle pontificating on infinity"

Ariel Durant's quote, "It is great a theorist should remind himself, from time to time, that he is a particle pontificating on infinity," encapsulates a profound humbleness that needs to accompany intellectual pursuits, especially those concerned with the secrets of life, existence, and deep space.

At its core, Durant reminds theorists-- and perhaps any thinker or individual undertaking the pursuit of knowledge-- that regardless of human capability for thought and reasoning, we are but small entities within the vastness of deep space. The term "particle" underscores our smallness and insignificance when compared to the boundless stretches of space and time. A particle is one of the tiniest systems of matter, denoting how, physically and metaphorically, we are tiny elements of a much bigger whole that is the universes.

The expression "pontificating on infinity" suggests the tendency of thinkers and intellectuals to theorize and make grand pronouncements about subjects that are, by nature, beyond total human understanding. Infinity represents boundlessness and the unknown-- principles that are exceptionally challenging to understand with a mind conditioned to process finite and tangible experiences.

Durant's statement functions as a caution against hubris. It is a reminder of the limits of human understanding and an invitation to method intellectual expedition with humility. Recognizing our limitations does not decrease the value of the pursuit of understanding; rather, it enriches it by avoiding overconfidence and motivating openness to new ideas, perspectives, and the possibility of secret.

Moreover, this viewpoint motivates thinkers to ground their philosophical questions in a sense of marvel and curiosity. It suggests that the journey to understand, rather than the destination of "understanding," is where the real value lies. By acknowledging one's own smallness in the face of infinity, one keeps a modest regard for the journey of discovery and its attendant mysteries.