“In any given society the Remnant are always so largely an unknown quantity.”
Source: Isaiah's Job (1936), IV
Context: In any given society the Remnant are always so largely an unknown quantity. You do not know, and will never know, more than two things about them. You can be sure of those — dead sure, as our phrase is — but you will never be able to make even a respectable guess at anything else. You do not know, and will never know, who the Remnant are, nor what they are doing or will do. Two things you do know, and no more: First, that they exist; second, that they will find you. Except for these two certainties, working for the Remnant means working in impenetrable darkness; and this, I should say, is just the condition calculated most effectively to pique the interest of any prophet who is properly gifted with the imagination, insight and intellectual curiosity necessary to a successful pursuit of his trade.
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Albert Jay Nock 68
American journalist 1870–1945Related quotes
“A large quantity of examples is indispensable.”
Preface, pp. viii
The Differential and Integral Calculus (1836)
as in Western Europe
Source: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa (1972), p. 106.
Arithmetica Universalis (1707)
Context: Whereas in Arithmetick Questions are only resolv'd by proceeding from given Quantities to the Quantities sought, Algebra proceeds in a retrograde Order, from the Quantities sought as if they were given, to the Quantities given as if they were sought, to the End that we may some Way or other come to a Conclusion or Æquation, from which one may bring out the Quantity sought. And after this Way the most difficult problems are resolv'd, the Resolutions whereof would be sought in vain from only common Arithmetick. Yet Arithmetick in all its Operations is so subservient to Algebra, as that they seem both but to make one perfect Science of Computing; and therefore I will explain them both together.<!--pp.1-2
Source: History of Mathematics (1925) Vol.2, p. 430; footnote
Treatise on Demonstration of Problems of Algebra (1070).
Context: By the help of God and with His precious assistance, I say that Algebra is a scientific art. The objects with which it deals are absolute numbers and measurable quantities which, though themselves unknown, are related to "things" which are known, whereby the determination of the unknown quantities is possible. Such a thing is either a quantity or a unique relation, which is only determined by careful examination. What one searches for in the algebraic art are the relations which lead from the known to the unknown, to discover which is the object of Algebra as stated above. The perfection of this art consists in knowledge of the scientific method by which one determines numerical and geometric unknowns.
“Silver is sometimes more valuable than gold, that is, in large quantities.”
The Innocence of Father Brown (1911) The Queer Feet
The Father Brown Mystery Series (1910 - 1927)
