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Standing on the shoulders of giants

Posted by Brian Shea on July 07, 2000

In Reply to: Standing on the shoulders of giants posted by joel on July 01, 2000

: I believe the phrase something like "we stand on the shoulders of giants" is a part of a longer phrase or quotation. The meaning is clear: we, in the present generation, see further because we have benefitted from the efforts of those of previous generations. But what is the correct phrase, what quotation does it come from, who said it? Thanks.

It's originally a quote from Isaac Newton. He said something to the effect of "If I have seen further, it
is only because I have stood on the shoulders of giants"

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