“An extra-terrestrial philosopher, who had watched a single youth up to the age of twenty-one and had never come across any other human being, might conclude that it is the nature of human beings to grow continually taller and wiser in an indefinite progress towards perfection; and this generalization would be just as well founded as the generalization which evolutionists base upon the previous history of this planet.”
Cite this quote
APA
Russell, B. (n.d.). An extra-terrestrial philosopher, who had watched a single youth up to the age of twenty-one and had never come across any other human being, might conclude that it is the nature of human beings to grow continually taller and wiser in an indefinite progress towards perfection; and this generalization would be just as well founded as the generalization which evolutionists base upon the previous history of this planet. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15046-an-extra-terrestrial-philosopher-who-had-watched-a/
MLA
Russell, Bertrand. “An extra-terrestrial philosopher, who had watched a single youth up to the age of twenty-one and had never come across any other human being, might conclude that it is the nature of human beings to grow continually taller and wiser in an indefinite progress towards perfection; and this generalization would be just as well founded as the generalization which evolutionists base upon the previous history of this planet.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15046-an-extra-terrestrial-philosopher-who-had-watched-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Russell, Bertrand. “An extra-terrestrial philosopher, who had watched a single youth up to the age of twenty-one and had never come across any other human being, might conclude that it is the nature of human beings to grow continually taller and wiser in an indefinite progress towards perfection; and this generalization would be just as well founded as the generalization which evolutionists base upon the previous history of this planet.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15046-an-extra-terrestrial-philosopher-who-had-watched-a/.