Facts for Everybody: An Encyclopædia of Useful Knowledge

Book excerpt: ""Is it a Fact?" Such is the question we daily ask of matters occurring or suggested. Is it a truth—a reality—a thing of which our senses or intellect can take firm grasp? Is there no delusion about it? Does it stand out clear of all shadows—a point of actual existence—in short, is it a Fact? The importance of Facts cannot be overrated. Canning once said that he knew nothing so sublime as a Fact. They constitute our universe—our existence. They comprise all that we are, all that we have, and all that we can hope to be. Knowledge is nothing more than the comprehension of Fact; well, therefore, may it be said that knowledge is power,—for he who knows the most of what is, must be able to make the best use of it. And knowledge is justly said to be "the solace and delight of the human mind;" for the mind was created for it. By knowledge man stands pre-eminently distinguished amidst creation, and to him alone is given the privilege of viewing all the beautiful varieties of nature, and all the works of human ingenuity and art..." 'Facts for Everybody: An Encyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge' is an illustrated informational book