There are worse sins for a scientist than to be wrong. One…
“There are worse sins for a scientist than to be wrong. One is to be trivial”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Being wrong as a scientist is less severe than being trivial; the latter undermines scientific progress and credibility.
In simple terms: Triviality harms science more than occasional errors.
Avoid triviality, focus on meaningful contribution.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research design
- peer review
- public communication
- policy advice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a scientific contribution trivial?
- How can one balance humility and significance?
Trivial work can be dismissed, limiting influence.