It is an excellent rule to be observed in all disputes, that men should give soft words and hard arguments; that they should not so much strive to vex as to convince each other.
John WilkinsYet I do seriously and on good grounds affirm it possible to make a flying chariot in which a man may sit and give such a motion unto it as shall convey him through the air. And this perhaps might be made large enough to carry divers men at the same time, together with food for their viaticum and commodities for traffic.
John WilkinsObscurity in writing is commonly an argument of darkness in the mind. The greatest learning is to be seen in the greatest plainness.
John Wilkins'Tis certain that our senses are extremely disproportioned for comprehending the whole compass and latitude of things.
John WilkinsScience doesn't deliver even that much "truth"; it delivers empirically adequate generalisations, and that is all we need.
John WilkinsIt is not the bigness of anything in this kind that can hinder its motion, if the motive faculty be answerable thereunto. We see a great ship swims as well as a small cork, and an eagle flies in the air as well as a little gnat. 'Tis likely enough that there may be means invented of journeying to the Moon; and how happy they shall be that are first successful in this attempt.
John Wilkins