“Wherever a way opens we are impelled to seek by the only methods that can be devised for that particular opening,”
Science and the Unseen World (1929)
Context: Physical science comes nearest to that complete system of exact knowledge which all sciences have before them as an ideal. Some fall far short of it. The physicist who inveighs against the lack of coherence and the indefiniteness of theological theories, will probably speak not much less harshly of the theories of biology and psychology. They also fail to come up to his standard of methodology. On the other side of him stands an even superior being—the pure mathematician—who has no high opinion of the methods of deduction used in physics, and does not hide his disapproval of the laxity of what is accepted as proof in physical science. And yet somehow knowledge grows in all these branches. Wherever a way opens we are impelled to seek by the only methods that can be devised for that particular opening, not over-rating the security of our finding, but conscious that in this activity of mind we are obeying the light that is in our nature.<!--VII, p.77-78
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Arthur Stanley Eddington 105
British astrophysicist 1882–1944Related quotes

As quoted in Building A Life Of Value : Timeless Wisdom to Inspire and Empower Us (2005) by Jason A. Merchey, p. 74

“We can open our hearts to God, but only with Divine help.”
Quaestiones de veritate disputatae q 24, art. 15, ad 2

“To free education for all. … We seek to build an education system that is open to all.”
Cardinal Winning Lecture (February 2, 2008)
Context: The foundation of Scotland's success - our great intellectual, social and economic flourishing - was our commitment to education. To free education for all.... We seek to build an education system that is open to all. A system that will not just benefit our economy - but will help to strengthen Scotland's entire civic and intellectual life. That is why we place such strong emphasis on ethics and values.

“Every body is a book of blood;
Wherever we're opened, we're red.”
Clive Barker's Books of Blood
Source: Books of Blood: Volumes One to Three

“Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart.”
Source: The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

“Abandoning open society for fear of terrorism is the only way to be defeated by it.”
2016
Source: Twitter, February 9, 2016 https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/697077569250787328

“I think the open software movement (and Linux in particular) is laudable.”
"Ken Thompson clarifies matters", 1999

Sweet Morality (p. 224)
The Immortalization Commission: The Strange Quest to Cheat Death (2011)