“The system of scholastic disputations encouraged in the Universities of the middle ages had unfortunately trained men to habits of indefinite argumentation, and they often preferred absurd and extravagant propositions, because greater skill was required to maintain them; the end and object of such intellectual combats being victory and not truth.”

Chpt.3, p. 28
Principles of Geology (1832), Vol. 1

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Charles Lyell 103
British lawyer and geologist 1797–1875

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“It will be necessary to dwell on futile reasoning and visionary hypothesis because the most extravagant systems were often invented or controverted by men of acknowledged talent.”

Chpt.3, p. 34
Principles of Geology (1832), Vol. 1
Context: It may be well to forewarn our readers that in tracing the history of geology from the close of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century they must expect to be occupied with accounts of the retardation as well as of the advance of the science.... It will be necessary to dwell on futile reasoning and visionary hypothesis because the most extravagant systems were often invented or controverted by men of acknowledged talent.

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“This means if you're here, it's because you're special. It's because you're skilled. It's because of your bravery in training or combat. You are not here by chance but because you've been assessed and found worthy.”

Suraj Sani (1996) Nigerian writer, Spoken word artist

P. 17. Roses in the desert https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/10937444-this-means-if-you-re-here-it-s-because-you-re-special-it-s,

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