"Dwarfs on the Shoulders of Giants"

Who: This quote is attributed to Bernard of Chartes. (Neo-Platonic philosopher)

When: 12th Century

Where: France

Significance: Later, the quote is explained by John of Salisbury in 1159. John writes: "Bernard of Chartres used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size." Bernard is comparing the modern scholar (12th century) to the ancient scholars of Greece and Rome.