Who said “Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.”?

Verified

Thomas Carlyle. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSartor Resartus (1833–1834)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Sartor Resartus (1833–1834).

APA

Carlyle, T. (n.d.). Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33242-man-is-a-tool-using-animal-without-tools/

MLA

Carlyle, Thomas. “Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33242-man-is-a-tool-using-animal-without-tools/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Carlyle, Thomas. “Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33242-man-is-a-tool-using-animal-without-tools/.