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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

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Lord Kelvin
Age: 83 †
Born: 1824
Born: June 26
Died: 1907
Died: December 17
Astronomer
Mathematician
Physicist
Politician
Scientist
University Teacher
Belfast
Ireland
The Lord Kelvin
Lord Kelvin
William Thomson
William (Lord Kelvin) Thomson
Nothing
Atoms
Mere
Prove
Unproven
Dreams
Speculations
Theory
Vortex
Upon
Atom
Science
Speculation
Dream
Founded

More quotes by Lord Kelvin

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I have no satisfaction in formulas unless I feel their numerical magnitude.
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Can you measure it? Can you express it in figures? Can you make a model of it? If not, your theory is apt to be based more upon imagination than upon knowledge.
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[Of the ether] it is no greater mystery at all events than the shoemakers' wax.
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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.
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You know only insofar as you can measure.
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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.
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When you cannot measure, your knowledge is meager and unsatisfactory.
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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.
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Fourier is a mathematical poem.
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The atheistic idea is so nonsensical that I do not see how I can put it in words.
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Mathematics is the only true metaphysics.
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If you can not measure it, you can not improve it.
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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.
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I can never satisfy myself until I can make a mechanical model of a thing. If I can make a mechanical model, I can understand it. As long as I cannot make a mechanical model all the way through I cannot understand.
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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.
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Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.
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Science is bound, by the everlasting vow of honour, to face fearlessly every problem which can be fairly presented to it.
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We only know God in His works, but we are forced by science to admit and to believe with absolute confidence in a Directive Power-in an influence other than physical, or dynamical, or electrical forces.
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If we can't express what we know in the form of numbers, we really don't know much about it.
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Vortices of pure energy can exist and, if my theories are right, can compose the bodily form of an intelligent species.
Lord Kelvin