Albert Jay Nock, The Theory of Education in the United States (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1932), p. 104. Full Book
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In the last generation, this country produced one of the most eminent men of science in the whole world. His name was quite unknown among us while he lived, and it is still unknown. Yet I may say without too great exaggeration that when I heard it mentioned in a professional assembly in the Netherlands two years ago, everybody got down under the table and touched their foreheads to the floor. His name was Josiah Willard Gibbs.

— Albert Jay Nock on Josiah Willard Gibbs

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "In the last generation, this country produced one of the most eminent men of science in the whole world. His name was quite unknown among us while he lived, and it is still unknown. Yet I may say without too great exaggeration that when I heard it mentioned in a professional assembly in the Netherlands two years ago, everybody got down under the table and touched their foreheads to the floor. His name was Josiah Willard Gibbs." in the context of "Albert Jay Nock, The Theory of Education in the United States (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1932), p. 104. Full Book" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Josiah Willard Gibbs" (Quotes about Gibbs: Alphabetized by author ) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Albert Jay Nock

About Albert Jay Nock

Albert Jay Nock (13 October 1870 – 19 August 1945) was an American author, educational theorist, libertarian, social critic of the early and middle 20th century, and a philosophical founder of the modern, libertarian conservative movement later embraced by Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and Ron Paul.