In Einstein's theory of relativity the observer is a man who sets out in quest of truth armed with a measuring-rod. In quantum theory he sets out with a sieve. — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in a theory until it has been confirmed by observation. I hope I shall not shock the experimental physicists too much if I add that it is also a good… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share
Proof is an idol before which the mathematician tortures himself. — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
It is one thing for the human mind to extract from the phenomena of nature the laws which it has itself put into them;… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
Don't believe the results of experiments until they're confirmed by theory. — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
Probably the simplest hypothesis... is that there may be a slow process of annihilation of matter. — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
There was a time when we wanted to be told what an electron is. The question was never answered. No familiar conceptions can be… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
To the pure geometer the radius of curvature is an incidental characteristic - like the grin of the Cheshire cat. To the physicist it is an indispensable characteristic. It would be going too far to say that to the physicist the cat is merely incidental to the grin. Physics is concerned with interrelatedness such as the interrelatedness of cats and… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share
The universe will finally become a ball of radiation, becoming more and more rarified and passing into longer and longer wave-lengths. The longest waves of radiation are Hertzian waves of the kind used in broadcasting. About every 1500 million years this ball of radio waves will double in diameter; and it will go on expanding in geometrical progression for ever.… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share
Science is one thing, wisdom is another. Science is an edged tool, with which men play like children, and cut their own fingers. — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because 'two' is 'one and one.' We… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
If your theory is found to be against the second law of thermodynamics I give you no hope; there is nothing for it but… — Arthur Eddington Copy Share Image
