The pursuit of knowledge is but a course between two ignorances, as human life is itself only a wayfaring from grave to grave.
Sir William Hamilton, 9th BaronetThere is a distinction, but no opposition, between theory and practice. Each to a certain extent supposes the other. Theory is dependent on practice; practice must have preceded theory.
Sir William Hamilton, 9th BaronetAn instinct is an agent which performs blindly and ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge.
Sir William Hamilton, 9th BaronetThere are two sorts of ignorance: we philosophize to escape ignorance; we start from the one, we repose in the other; they are the goals from which and to which we tend; and the pursuit of knowledge is but a course between two ignorances, as human life is only a traveling from grave to grave.
Sir William Hamilton, 9th Baronet