Full Idea
'Tis ambition enough to be employed as an under-labourer in clearing ground a little, and removing some of the rubbish that lies in the way to knowledge.
Gist of Idea
I am just an under-labourer, clearing the ground in preparation for knowledge
Source
John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], Epistle)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.10
A Reaction
A famous statement of the new humility of empirical philosophy, which defers to science as the great advancer of knowledge. Personally I view scientists as under-labourers, who discover the physical facts which are needed for wisdom.