"Science, which cuts its way through the muddy pond of daily life without mingling with it, casts its wealth to right and left, but the puny boatmen do not know how to fish for it"

This quote by Alexander Herzen talks to the power of science and its capability to bring about excellent modification in the world. He is stating that science resembles a boat cutting through a muddy pond, bringing its wealth to both sides, but the people in the undersized boats are not able to benefit from it. Herzen is suggesting that science has the potential to cause excellent modification, however it depends on individuals to acknowledge and make the most of it. He is also suggesting that the people in the undersized boats are not taking the effort to learn and use the knowledge that science has to use. Herzen is stressing the importance of taking advantage of the knowledge that science has to offer in order to make the world a much better place. He is also suggesting that if people do not take the effort to discover and utilize the understanding that science needs to offer, then they will be unable to take advantage of it. In conclusion, Herzen is stressing the importance of making the most of the understanding that science has to offer in order to make the world a better location.