Reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 261.
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Not a step can we take in any direction without perceiving the most extraordinary traces of design; and the skill everywhere conspicuous is calculated in so vast a proportion of instances to promote the happiness of living creatures, and especially of ourselves, that we feel no hesitation in concluding that, if we knew the whole scheme of Providence, every part would appear to be in harmony with a plan of absolute benevolence.

— Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Not a step can we take in any direction without perceiving the most extraordinary traces of design; and the skill everywhere conspicuous is calculated in so vast a proportion of instances to promote the happiness of living creatures, and especially of ourselves, that we feel no hesitation in concluding that, if we knew the whole scheme of Providence, every part would appear to be in harmony with a plan of absolute benevolence." in the context of "Reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 261." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux" (Quotes) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app

About Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux

The Right Honourable Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux, PC (September 19, 1778 – May 7, 1868) was a British statesman who became Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.