Famous Quotes by Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail (1979)

Below are famous quotes by Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail (1979) - US author, biologist, physician (1913 - 1993).

We are a spectacular, splendid manifestation of life. We have language. . . . We have affection We have genes for usefulness, and usefulness is about as close to a "common goal" of nature as I can guess at. And finally, and perhaps best of all, we have music.

We pass the word around; we ponder how the case is put by different people, we read the poetry; we meditate over the literature; we play the music; we change our minds; we reach an understanding. Society evolves this way, not by shouting each other down, but by the unique capacity of unique, individual human beings to comprehend each other.

Return to authors.