Alexander von Humboldt

1769–1859 · Prussian geographer, naturalist and explorer

Topics: learning

• The principal impulse by which I was directed was the earnest endeavor to comprehend the phenomena of physical objects in their general connection, and to represent nature as one great whole, moved and animated by internal forces.

  — Alexander von Humboldt

• A physical delineation of nature terminates at the point where the sphere of intellect begins, and a new world of mind is opened to our view. It marks the limit, but does not pass it.

  — Alexander von Humboldt

• Our imagination is struck only by what is great; but the lover of natural philosophy should reflect equally on little things.

  — Alexander von Humboldt