If we knew exactly the laws of nature and the situation of the universe at the initial moment, we could predict exactly the situation of the same universe at a succeeding moment.

Quote by Henri Poincare

Topics: Henri Poincare Quotes

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...

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...

It is far better to foresee even without certainty than not to foresee at all.

It is far better to foresee even without certainty than not to foresee at all.

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

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

Need we add that mathematicians themselves are not infallible?

Need we add that mathematicians themselves are not infallible?

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.

Science is built up of facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection...

Science is built up of facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection...

It has adopted the geometry most advantageous to the species or, in other words, the...

It has adopted the geometry most advantageous to the species or, in other words, the...

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.

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...

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.

Hypotheses are what we lack the least.

Hypotheses are what we lack the least.

One would have to have completely forgotten the history of science so as to not...

One would have to have completely forgotten the history of science so as to not...

If that enabled us to predict the succeeding situation with the same approximation, that is...

If that enabled us to predict the succeeding situation with the same approximation, that is...

A scientist worthy of his name, about all a mathematician, experiences in his work the...

A scientist worthy of his name, about all a mathematician, experiences in his work the...

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.

Mathematical discoveries, small or great are never born of spontaneous generation.

Mathematical discoveries, small or great are never born of spontaneous generation.

A very small cause which escapes our notice determines a considerable effect that we cannot...

A very small cause which escapes our notice determines a considerable effect that we cannot...

A sane mind should not be guilty of a logical fallacy, yet there are very...

A sane mind should not be guilty of a logical fallacy, yet there are very...

The mind uses its faculty for creativity only when experience forces it to do so.

The mind uses its faculty for creativity only when experience forces it to do so.