“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.” Has BeensMomentsSubjectsTheoryFitNovemberIntervalsLiableAbstention Author:Lord Kelvin
“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.” IfsImaginationFiguresTheoryModels Author:Lord Kelvin
“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.” DreamScienceTheoryProveMereAtomsSpeculationVortex Author:Lord Kelvin
“[Referring to Fourier's mathematical theory of the conduction of heat] ... Fourier's great mathematical poem.” ScienceTheoryMathematicalHeatBiographiesReferringFourier Author:Lord Kelvin
“Vortices of pure energy can exist and, if my theories are right, can compose the bodily form of an intelligent species.” IfsFormEnergyTheoryPureIntelligentSpecies Author:Lord Kelvin
