An open wire birdcage contains a glass marble, with another marble outside on green felt.

Original artwork, not a still

Charles Darwin

I have steadily endeavored to keep my mind free so as to give up any hypothesis, however much beloved (and I cannot resist forming one on every subject), as soon as the facts are shown to be opposed to it.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker describes working to keep an open mind: forming theories constantly, even fondly, but dropping any of them once the facts contradict it. The parenthetical admits the habit of theorizing is irresistible, so the discipline lies in letting go of a favorite idea.

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