Mathematics is the only true metaphysics. Lord Kelvin More Quotes by Lord Kelvin More Quotes From Lord Kelvin 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 Quaternions came from Hamilton after his really good work had been done, and though beautifully ingenious, have been an unmixed evil to those who have touched them in any way. Lord Kelvin doneevilway The life and soul of science is its practical application, and just as the great advances in mathematics have been made through the desire of discovering the solution of problems which were of a highly practical kind in mathematical science, so in physical science many of the greatest advances that have been made from the beginning of the world to the present time have been made in the earnest desire to turn the knowledge of the properties of matter to some purpose useful to mankind. Lord Kelvin soulscienceknowledge Let nobody be afraid of true freedom of thought. Let us be free in thought and criticism; but, with freedom, we are bound to come to the conclusion that science is not antagonistic to religion, but a help to it. Lord Kelvin freedomcriticismhelping At what time does the dissipation of energy begin? Lord Kelvin energydoetime Fourier's theorem is not only one of the most beautiful results of modern analysis, but it may be said to furnish an indispensable instrument in the treatment of nearly every recondite question in modern physics. Lord Kelvin analysismaybeautiful [Referring to Fourier's mathematical theory of the conduction of heat] ... Fourier's great mathematical poem. Lord Kelvin heatbiographiesscience Science is bound, by the everlasting vow of honour, to face fearlessly every problem which can be fairly presented to it. Lord Kelvin vowproblemfaces Simplification of modes of proof is not merely an indication of advance in our knowledge of a subject, but is also the surest guarantee of readiness for farther progress. Lord Kelvin progressscienceknowledge Questions of personal priority, however interesting they may be to the persons concerned, sink into insignificance in the prospect of any gain of deeper insight into the secrets of nature. Lord Kelvin naturescienceinteresting [Of the ether] it is no greater mystery at all events than the shoemakers' wax. Lord Kelvin mysterygreaterevents There cannot be a greater mistake than that of looking superciliously upon practical applications of science. The life and soul of science is its practical application. Lord Kelvin applicationsoulmistake In physical science a first essential step in the direction of learning any subject is to find principles of numerical reckoning and practicable methods for measuring some quality connected with it. I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in your thoughts advanced to the stage of science, whatever the matter may be. Lord Kelvin qualityprinciplesnumbers Although mechanical energy is indestructible, there is a universal tendency to its dissipation, which produces throughout the system a gradual augmentation and diffusion of heat, cessation of motion and exhaustion of the potential energy of the material Universe Lord Kelvin tendenciesheatenergy We all confidently believe that there are at present, and have been from time immemorial, many worlds of life besides our own. . . . [This] may seem wild, and visionary; all I maintain is that it is not unscientific. Lord Kelvin visionariesmoonbelieve Ether is the only substance we are confident of in dynamics. One thing we are sure of and that is the reality and substantiality of the luminferous ether. Lord Kelvin dynamicssubstancereality Symmetrical equations are good in their place, but ' vector ' is a useless survival, or offshoot from quaternions, and has never been of the slightest use to any creature. Lord Kelvin vectorssurvivaluse The vortex theory [of the atom] is only a dream. Itself unproven, it can prove nothing, and any speculations founded upon it are mere dreams about dreams. Lord Kelvin atomsdreamscience Until you can measure something and express it in numbers, you have only the begining of understanding. Lord Kelvin The true measure of a man is what he would do if he knew he would never be caught. Lord Kelvin truenevermanmeasure-of-a-man
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