George Sarton: Quotes about the world

“Our own culture, of Greek and Hebraic origin, is the one that interests us the most… We do not say that it is the best culture, but simply that it is ours. To claim that it of necessity superior would be wrong and evil. That attitude is the main source of international trouble in the world. …Each nation prefers its own usages.”

George Sarton

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.1 Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece (1952)

World , Evil

“There are two kinds of people in the world, whom we might dub the jobholders and the enthusiasts.”

George Sarton

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.1 Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece (1952)
Context: There are two kinds of people in the world, whom we might dub the jobholders and the enthusiasts.... The majority of the kings and emperors were jobholders and so were many of the popes.... Most of the creators in the field of art and religion, and many of them in the field of science, were enthusiasts. Now economic conditions may deeply affect the jobs and the jobholders, but they make little impression on the enthusiasts.... the jobholders... keep things going with enough continuity and smoothness; they are the builders of usages and customs, the defenders of morality and justice.... the enthusiasts... are the main instruments of change and progress; they are the real creators and troublemakers. The enthusiasts are the salt of the earth, but man cannot live by salt alone.

People , World

“The whole past and the whole world are alive in my heart, and I shall do my part to communicate their presence to my readers.”

George Sarton

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.2 Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C. (1959)

World , Communication , Past , Heart

“If we are generous enough, we can stretch our souls everywhere and everywhen else. If we succeed in doing so, we shall discover that our present embraces the past and the future and that the whole world is our province.”

George Sarton

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.2 Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C. (1959)

World , Soul , Past , Future

“… science is the most revolutionary force in the world.”

George Sarton

[George Sarton, A guide to the history of science: a first guide for the study of the history of science, with introductory essays on science and tradition, Chronica Botanica Co., 1952, 3]

World , Science

“The Hellenistic world was international to a degree, polyglot and inspired by many religious faiths. …the Greek ideals were pagan and the Hellenistic age witnessed their death struggle against Asiatic and Egyptian mysteries, on the one side, and against Judaism, on the other.”

George Sarton

Preface.
A History of Science Vol.2 Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C. (1959)

Death , Age , World , Faith