Life is generally made unendurable to those who are born; ahead of the age in which they live. Plato, Copernicus, Galileo and Columbus were all more or less punished and ridiculed while alive. Now, those men are almost worshiped, though much of their wisdom is a stumbling block to modern science - just as prior wisdom was a stumbling block to those men. The world is slow to acknowledge the truth and genius of the present; but is at the same time freezing and starving the living present, which is indefinitely postponed for future deliberate notice. So moves the world, velocity accelerated in proportion to amount of past energy exercised. It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies; it is seldom safe to instruct, even our friends. Every one of us has some chain to drag along which prevents him from searching out truth as cheerfuly, earnestly and helpfully as he should do, if he were unshackled. Galileo, Columbus, Jenner, and the many authors who have had their first manuscripts returned, are among those of the world's benefactors whose early dream met with ridicule. There is something in the popular mind that clings to tradition and custom and holds the progressive to be impossible, and therefore ridiculous. Progress first meets with ridicule, then persecution.

Public opinion always howled "crucify! crucify!" whenever an uncommon mind appeared and announced a new idea.