Quotes by Herbert Spencer

About Herbert Spencer:

Herbert Spencer was an English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist of the Victorian era.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Evolution is an integration of matter and concomitant dissipation of motion during which the matter passes from an indefinite incoherent homogeneity to a definite coherent heterogeneity, and during which the retained motion undergoes a parallel trans...

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.

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.

Herbert Spencer

As a corollary to the proposition that all institutions must be subordinated to the law of equal freedom, we cannot choose but admit the right of the citizen to adopt a condition of voluntary outlawry. If every man has freedom to do all that he wills...

Herbert Spencer

If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a man in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the...

Herbert Spencer

This survival of the fittest implies multiplication of the fittest. { .}

Herbert Spencer

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

Herbert Spencer

We do not commonly see in a tax a diminution of freedom, and yet it clearly is one.

Herbert Spencer

Hero-worship is strongest where there is least regard for human freedom.

Herbert Spencer

The more specific idea of Evolution now reached is - a change from an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity to a definite, coherent heterogeneity, accompanying the dissipation of motion and integration of matter.

Herbert Spencer

In science the important thing is to modify and change one's ideas as science advances.

Herbert Spencer

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

Herbert Spencer

Objects we ardently pursue bring little happiness when gained; most of our pleasures come from unexpected sources.

Herbert Spencer

The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

Herbert Spencer

Education has for its object the formation of character.

Herbert Spencer

People are beginning to see that the first requisite to success in life is to be a good animal.

Herbert Spencer

The wise man must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, he is a parent of the future.

Herbert Spencer

When a man's knowledge is not in order, the more of it he has the greater will be his confusion.

Herbert Spencer

Life is the continuous adjustment of internal relations to external relations.

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.

Herbert Spencer

Author Bio

  • NameHerbert Spencer
  • DescriptionEnglish philosopher, biologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist
  • BornApril 27, 1820
  • DiedDecember 8, 1903
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Economist; Anthropologist; Psychologist; Journalist; Author; Sociologist