"This world, after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle wonderful, inscrutable, magical and more, to whosoever will think of it"
About this Quote
Thomas Carlyle’s reflection on the world acknowledges both the triumphs and the limitations of human knowledge. Even after centuries of scientific discovery and technological progress, he alludes to the idea that reality itself retains an essence that defies complete explanation. The phrase “after all our science and sciences” suggests a cumulative effort by humanity to understand the universe, categorizing and decoding its laws through organized inquiry. Nonetheless, behind this intellectual advancement, the world remains “a miracle wonderful, inscrutable, magical and more.” Carlyle encourages readers to realize that our explanations do not exhaust the infinite richness and strangeness of existence.
Carlyle’s language is both reverent and humble before the vast mystery of being. “Miracle” and “magical” point toward a sense of awe that transcends logic, suggesting that even the most studied phenomena retain a core of unpredictability and wonder. The world does not become dull or mundane in the light of scientific scrutiny. Rather, the more we probe into the nature of things, the more astonishing reality appears. “Inscrutable” emphasizes the impenetrable aspect of existence; no matter how much we learn, there are questions that elude definitive answers, perspectives that forever push us to reconsider what we think we know.
Ultimately, Carlyle suggests that wonder is not simply a lack of knowledge but a deeper appreciation awakened by thoughtful reflection. The world’s magical quality is accessible “to whosoever will think of it,” implying that attentiveness and contemplation are needed to perceive life’s enduring marvel. The quotation challenges complacency, inviting perpetual curiosity. Knowledge is not the antithesis of wonder; it can be its source. In positioning science and magic as compatible, Carlyle hints at the possibility that the greatest discoveries, far from dispelling mystery, deepen our sense of life’s unfathomable reality. Through inquiry and imagination, the world remains, always, “a miracle wonderful.”
Carlyle’s language is both reverent and humble before the vast mystery of being. “Miracle” and “magical” point toward a sense of awe that transcends logic, suggesting that even the most studied phenomena retain a core of unpredictability and wonder. The world does not become dull or mundane in the light of scientific scrutiny. Rather, the more we probe into the nature of things, the more astonishing reality appears. “Inscrutable” emphasizes the impenetrable aspect of existence; no matter how much we learn, there are questions that elude definitive answers, perspectives that forever push us to reconsider what we think we know.
Ultimately, Carlyle suggests that wonder is not simply a lack of knowledge but a deeper appreciation awakened by thoughtful reflection. The world’s magical quality is accessible “to whosoever will think of it,” implying that attentiveness and contemplation are needed to perceive life’s enduring marvel. The quotation challenges complacency, inviting perpetual curiosity. Knowledge is not the antithesis of wonder; it can be its source. In positioning science and magic as compatible, Carlyle hints at the possibility that the greatest discoveries, far from dispelling mystery, deepen our sense of life’s unfathomable reality. Through inquiry and imagination, the world remains, always, “a miracle wonderful.”
Quote Details
| Topic | Wisdom |
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