The errors which arise from the absence of facts are far more numerous and more durable than those which result from unsound reasoning respecting true data. Charles Babbage More Quotes by Charles Babbage More Quotes From Charles Babbage The economy of human time is the next advantage of machinery in manufactures. Charles Babbage technologytimepeople Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all. Charles Babbage mathematical-logicfailureerrors At each increase of knowledge, as well as on the contrivance of every new tool, human labour becomes abridged. Charles Babbage increasewellstools The whole of the developments and operations of analysis are now capable of being executed by machinery ... As soon as an Analytical Engine exists, it will necessarily guide the future course of science. Charles Babbage analysisdevelopmentscience On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question. Charles Babbage confusiontwoideas As soon as an Analytical Engine exists, it will neccessarily guide the future course of science. Charles Babbage enginescoursesguides What is there in a name? It is merely an empty basket, until you put something into it. Charles Babbage emptynamesscience There is nothing in the nature of a miracle that should render it incredible:;: its credibility depends upon the nature of the evidence by which it is supported. An event of extreme probability will not necessarily command our belief unless upon a sufficiency of proof; and so an event which we may regard as highly improbable may command our belief if it is sustained by sufficient evidence. So that the credibility or incredibility of an event does not rest upon the nature of the event itself, but depends upon the nature and sufficiency of the proof which sustains it. Charles Babbage eventsmiracledoe The first steps in the path of discovery, and the first approximate measures, are those which add most to the existing knowledge of mankind. Charles Babbage discoveryaddscience Propose to an Englishman any principle, or any instrument, however admirable, and you will observe that the whole effort of the English mind is directed to find a difficulty, a defect, or an impossibility in it. If you speak to him of a machine for peeling a potato, he will pronounce it impossible: if you peel a potato with it before his eyes, he will declare it useless, because it will not slice a pineapple. Charles Babbage efforteyemind For one person who is blessed with the power of invention, many will always be found who have the capacity of applying principles. Charles Babbage principlesblessedscience Whenever a man can get hold of numbers, they are invaluable: if correct, they assist in informing his own mind, but they are still more useful in deluding the minds of others. Numbers are the masters of the weak, but the slaves of the strong. Charles Babbage strongnumbersmen If we look at the fact, we shall find that the great inventions of the age are not, with us at least, always produced in universities. Charles Babbage great-inventionsagelooks I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam. Charles Babbage statisticswishmath An object is frequently not seen, from not knowing how to see it, rather than from any defect of the organ of vision. Charles Babbage defectsvisionknowing The proportion between the velocity with which men or animals move, and the weights they carry, is a matter of considerable importance, particularly in military affairs. Charles Babbage militarymenmoving There are few circumstances which so strongly distinguish the philosopher, as the calmness with which he can reply to criticisms he may think undeservedly severe. Charles Babbage criticismmaythinking The difference between a tool and a machine is not capable of very precise distinction; nor is it necessary, in a popular explanation of those terms, to limit very strictly their acceptation. Charles Babbage machinesdifferencestools The triumph of the industrial arts will advance the cause of civilization more rapidly than its warmest advocates could have hoped, and contribute to the permanent prosperity and strength of the country far more than the most splendid victories of successful war. Charles Babbage warcountryart Remember that accumulated knowledge, like accumulated capital, increases at compound interest: but it differs from the accumulation of capital in this; that the increase of knowledge produces a more rapid rate of progress, whilst the accumulation of capital leads to a lower rate of interest. Capital thus checks it own accumulation: knowledge thus accelerates its own advance. Each generation, therefore, to deserve comparison with its predecessor, is bound to add much more largely to the common stock than that which it immediately succeeds. Charles Babbage progressscienceknowledge
