A very small cause which escapes our notice determines a considerable effect that we cannot fail to see, and then we say that the effect is due to chance.

Quote by Henri Poincare

Topics: Henri Poincare Quotes

Hypotheses are what we lack the least.

Hypotheses are what we lack the least.

In the old days when people invented a new function they had something useful in...

In the old days when people invented a new function they had something useful in...

Point set topology is a disease from which the human race will soon recover.

Point set topology is a disease from which the human race will soon recover.

Ideas rose in clouds; I felt them collide until pairs interlocked, so to speak, making...

Ideas rose in clouds; I felt them collide until pairs interlocked, so to speak, making...

Mathematicians are born, not made.

Mathematicians are born, not made.

A small error in the former will produce an enormous error in the latter.

A small error in the former will produce an enormous error in the latter.

The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he...

The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he...

Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things.

Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things.

It is the harmony of the diverse parts, their symmetry, their happy balance; in a...

It is the harmony of the diverse parts, their symmetry, their happy balance; in a...

What is it indeed that gives us the feeling of elegance in a solution, in...

What is it indeed that gives us the feeling of elegance in a solution, in...

Need we add that mathematicians themselves are not infallible?

Need we add that mathematicians themselves are not infallible?

How is an error possible in mathematics?

How is an error possible in mathematics?

Facts do not speak.

Facts do not speak.

If one looks at the different problems of the integral calculus which arise naturally when...

If one looks at the different problems of the integral calculus which arise naturally when...

Thought is only a flash between two long nights, but this flash is everything.

Thought is only a flash between two long nights, but this flash is everything.

If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were...

If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were...

It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover.

It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover.

To doubt everything, or, to believe everything, are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with...

To doubt everything, or, to believe everything, are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with...

Just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts.

Just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts.

Invention consists in avoiding the constructing of useless contraptions and in constructing the useful combinations...

Invention consists in avoiding the constructing of useless contraptions and in constructing the useful combinations...