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Quote by John Playfair

“The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction; he has not permitted in his works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration. He may put an end, as he no doubt gave a beginning, to the present system at some determinate period of time; but we may rest assured, that this great catastrophe will not be brought about by the laws now existing, and that it is not indicated by any thing which we perceive.”

Book:James Hutton & Joseph Black: Biographies

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James Hutton & Joseph Black: Biographies

James Hutton & Joseph Black: Biographies is a comprehensive work that delves into the lives of James Hutton and Joseph Black, two prominent scientists from the 18th century. The book provides detailed biographical narratives, highlighting their respective contributions to the fields of geology and chemistry. It examines their methodologies, discoveries, and the lasting influence their work has had on scientific understanding and development. more

Author

John Playfair

John Playfair (March 10, 1748 - July 20, 1819) was a Scottish scientist known for his significant contributions to geology, mathematics, and philosophy. He was a pioneer in the field of geology and made important contributions to the development of the discipline. more

“The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the composer; but when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again.”

“The books of the great scientists are gathering dust on the shelves of learned libraries. And rightly so. The scientist addresses an infinitesimal audience of fellow composers. His message is not devoid of universality but its universality is disembodied and anonymous. While the artist's communication is linked forever with its original form, that of the scientist is modified, amplified, fused with the ideas and results of others and melts into the stream of knowledge and ideas which forms our culture. The scientist has in common with the artist only this: that he can find no better retreat from the world than his work and also no stronger link with the world than his work.”

“The Fundamental Regulator Paradox ... The task of a regulator is to eliminate variation, but this variation is the ultimate source of information about the quality of its work. Therefore, the better the job a regulator does the less information it gets about how to improve.”

Doe Jobs Science Quality Information Hard Work Source Tasks Ultimate Fundamentals Paradox Variation Regulators

Author:Gerald Weinberg

“The leading idea which is present in all our [geological] researches, and which accompanies every fresh observation, the sound of which to the ear of the student of Nature seems echoed from every part of her works, is-Time!-Time!-Time!”

Ideas Seems Science Sound Nature Students Hard Work Research Ears Observation Accompany

Author:George Julius Poulett Scrope

“The Lincoln Highway is to be something more than a road. It will be a road with a personality, a distinctive work of which the Americans of future generations can point with pride - an economic but also artistic triumph. (1914)”

Science Generations Economic Hard Work Pride Personality Future Artistic Triumph Highways Future Generation Distinctive

Author:Carl G. Fisher

“The mighty edifice of Government science dominated the scene in the middle of the 20th century as a Gothic cathedral dominated a 13th century landscape. The work of many hands over many years, it universally inspired admiration, wonder and fear.”

Years Hands Government Science Wonder Middle Century Hard Work Scene Accounts Inspired Landscape Admiration 20th Century Gothic Cathedrals Edifice Many Hands

Author:A. Hunter Dupree

“The people of Sydney who can speak of my work [on flying-machine models] without a smile are very scarce; it is doubtless the same with American workers. I know that success is dead sure to come, and therefore do not waste time and words in trying to convince unbelievers.”

People Knows Trying Success Science Speak Hard Work Waste Models Machines Workers Flying Convince Wasting Time Scarce Sydney Unbelievers American Workers Flying Machines

Author:Lawrence Hargrave

“The powers of nature are never in repose; her work never stands still.”

Stills Science Nature Power Hard Work Repose Power Of Nature

Book:A complete guide to the Lakes, comprising minute directions for the tourist, with mr. Wordsworth's Description of the scenery of the country, &c. and Three letters upon the geology of the Lake district, by prof. Sedgwick

Source: A complete guide to the Lakes, comprising minute directions for the tourist, with mr. Wordsworth's Description of the scenery of the country, &c. and Three letters upon the geology of the Lake district, by prof. Sedgwick

“The study of Nature is intercourse with the highest mind. You should never trifle with Nature. At her lowest her works are the works of the highest powers, the highest something in the universe, in whichever way we look at it... This is the charm of Study from Nature itself; she brings us back to absolute truth wherever we wander.”

Way Should Mind Looks Science Universe Nature Power Study Hard Work Highest Absolutes Wander Charm Lowest Intercourse Trifles Absolute Truth

Author:Louis Agassiz

“The trouble is that all the investigators proceeded in exactly the same spirit, the spirit that is of scientific curiosity, and with no possibility of telling whether the issue of their work would prove them to be fiends, or dreamers, or angels.”

Spirit Issues Trouble Possibility Hard Work Prove Angel Curiosity Dreamer Investigators

Author:Robert Strutt, 4th Baron Rayleigh

Quote by John Playfair

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