17 Great Quotes By Herbert Spencer For Science Aficionados

Famous As: Philosopher and Sociologist Known for His Hypothesis of ‘Social Darwinism’ and the Expression 'Survival of the Fittest'

Born On: 1820

Died On: 1903

Born In: Derby, Derbyshire, England

Died At Age: 83

Herbert Spencer was a distinguished English biologist, philosopher, sociologist, prominent classical liberal political theorist and anthropologist of the Victorian Era. He is renowned for his expression ‘survival of the fittest’ which was coined for ‘Principles Of Biology’ and is quoted extensively till date. An all-embracing concept of evolution was also developed by him. He expressed his opinions, thoughts and viewpoints as a polymath on a vast range of subjects including literature, psychology, ethics, political theory, religion, astronomy, economics, anthropology, biology, philosophy and sociology. He achieved a lot of authority especially in English-speaking academia during his lifetime. Following is a corpus of quotable quotes and sayings by the renowned philosopher which are relevant to this date. Let us see what we can learn from the thoughts and quotes by Herbert Spencer on knowledge, benefit, ignorance, adjustment, slavery, government, morality, duty, life, success, happiness, progress, music, human-spirit, divine, change, feelings, intellect, moment, risk, immoral, science, ideas etc.

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The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.
Herbert Spencer

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
Herbert Spencer

Whatever fosters militarism makes for barbarism; whatever fosters peace makes for civilization.

Whatever fosters militarism makes for barbarism; whatever fosters peace makes for civilization.
Peace
Herbert Spencer

Before he can remake his society, his society must make him.

Before he can remake his society, his society must make him.
Herbert Spencer

Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.

Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.
Herbert Spencer

The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morality.

The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morality.
Herbert Spencer

No man is equal to his book. All the best products of his mental activity go into his book, where they come separated from the mass of inferior products with which they are mingled in his daily talk.

No man is equal to his book. All the best products of his mental activity go into his book, where they come separated from the mass of inferior products with which they are mingled in his daily talk.
Herbert Spencer

How often misused words generate misleading thoughts.

How often misused words generate misleading thoughts.
Herbert Spencer

We too often forget that not only is there 'a soul of goodness in things evil,' but very generally also, a soul of truth in things erroneous.

We too often forget that not only is there 'a soul of goodness in things evil,' but very generally also, a soul of truth in things erroneous.
Soul
Herbert Spencer

Science is organized knowledge.
Herbert Spencer

They who employ force by proxy are as much responsible for that force as though they employed it themselves.

They who employ force by proxy are as much responsible for that force as though they employed it themselves.
Herbert Spencer

No one can be perfectly happy till all are happy.

No one can be perfectly happy till all are happy.
Herbert Spencer

Love is life's end, but never ending. Love is life's wealth, never spent, but ever spending. Love's life's reward, rewarded in rewarding.

Love is life's end, but never ending. Love is life's wealth, never spent, but ever spending. Love's life's reward, rewarded in rewarding.
Love Never
Herbert Spencer

Increasing power of a growing administrative organization is accompanied by decreasing power of the rest of the society to resist its further growth and control.

Increasing power of a growing administrative organization is accompanied by decreasing power of the rest of the society to resist its further growth and control.
Power
Herbert Spencer

This survival of the fittest which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called 'natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life.

This survival of the fittest which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called 'natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life.
Life I
Herbert Spencer

In the course of social evolution, usage precedes law; and that when usage has been well established it becomes law by receiving authoritative endorsement and defined form.

In the course of social evolution, usage precedes law; and that when usage has been well established it becomes law by receiving authoritative endorsement and defined form.
Herbert Spencer