Mathematics is the only good metaphysics. Lord Kelvin More Quotes by Lord Kelvin More Quotes From Lord Kelvin Nothing can be more fatal to progress than a too confident reliance on mathematical symbols; for the student is only too apt to take the easier course, and consider the formula not the fact as the physical reality. Lord Kelvin progressrealityfacts Suppose that you could mark the molecules in a glass of water; then pour the contents of the glass into the ocean and stir the latter throughly so as to distribute the marked molecules uniformly throughout the seven seas; if then you took a glass of water anywhere out of the ocean, you would find in it about a hundred of your marked molecules. Lord Kelvin glassesoceansea I need scarcely say that the beginning and maintenance of life on earth is absolutely and infinitely beyond the range of all sound speculation in dynamical science. The only contribution of dynamics to theoretical biology is absolute negation of automatic commencement or automatic maintenance of life. Lord Kelvin maintenancesoundneeds Fourier is a mathematical poem. Lord Kelvin fourierpoetrymath It is conceivable that animal life might have the attribute of using the heat of surrounding matter, at its natural temperature, as a source of energy for mechanical effect . . . .The influence of animal or vegetable life on matter is infinitely beyond the range of any scientific enquiry hitherto entered on. Its power of directing the motions of moving particles, in the demonstrated daily miracle of our human free-will, and in the growth of generation after generation of plants from a single seed, are infinitely different from any possible result of the fortuitous concurrence of atoms. Lord Kelvin vegetablesanimalmoving All of science can be divided into physics and stamp-collecting. Lord Kelvin stamp-collectingstampsphysics If we can't express what we know in the form of numbers, we really don't know much about it. Lord Kelvin formknowsnumbers Vortices of pure energy can exist and, if my theories are right, can compose the bodily form of an intelligent species. Lord Kelvin formintelligentenergy When you cannot measure, your knowledge is meager and unsatisfactory. Lord Kelvin The atheistic idea is so nonsensical that I do not see how I can put it in words. Lord Kelvin atheisticnonsensicalideas The fact that mathematics does such a good job of describing the Universe is a mystery that we don't understand. And a debt that we will probably never be able to repay. Lord Kelvin debtdoejobs I have not the smallest molecule of faith in aerial navigation other than ballooning, or of the expectation of good results from any of the trials we heard of. So you will understand that I would not care to be a member of the Aeronautical Society. Lord Kelvin moleculesfutureexpectations I believe that the more thoroughly science is studied, the further does it take us from anything comparable to atheism. Lord Kelvin atheismdoebelieve To live among friends is the primary essential of happiness. Lord Kelvin primariesessentials There is nothing in science which teaches the origin of anything at all. Lord Kelvin teachscience I have no satisfaction in formulas unless I feel their numerical magnitude. Lord Kelvin magnitudeformulassatisfaction Scientific wealth tends to accumulate according to the law of compound interest. Every addition to knowledge of the properties of matter supplies the physical scientist with new instrumental means for discovering and interpreting phenomena of nature, which in their turn afford foundations of fresh generalisations, bringing gains of permanent value into the great storehouse of natural philosophy. Lord Kelvin lawphilosophymean You know only insofar as you can measure. Lord Kelvin knows The only census of the senses, so far as I am aware, that ever before made them more than five, was the Irishman's reckoning of seven senses. I presume the Irishman's seventh sense was common sense; and I believe that the possession of that virtue by my countrymen-I speak as an Irishman. Lord Kelvin common-sensesciencebelieve I have not had a moment's peace or happiness in respect to electromagnetic theory since November 28, 1846. All this time I have been liable to fits of ether dipsomania, kept away at intervals only by rigorous abstention from thought on the subject. Lord Kelvin novemberfitmoments
