--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is also a good rule not to put…" description: "\"It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they are confirmed by theory.\" — Arthur E..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg" --- # It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in… ![“It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they are confirmed by theory.” quote by Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg) > “It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they are confirmed by theory.” [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Caution against trusting raw data without theoretical support. **In simple terms:** Data alone isn’t enough; theory needed. Key Takeaway Seek theory before trusting observations. Themes science methodology skepticism Mood thoughtful analytical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - research design - data analysis - peer review Key Concepts empiricism theory validation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance data and theory? - When should you trust observational results? A Different Perspective Theory may lag behind data, limiting immediate confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Confidence Observational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence-observational-306952/) [Confirmed Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confirmed-theory-3228073/) [Observational Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observational-results-6082625/) [Overmuch Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overmuch-confidence-6082626/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) ## Related quotes > [Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/observation-and-theory-get-on-best-when-they-are-mixed-together-both/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Don't believe the results of experiments until they're confirmed by theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/don-t-believe-the-results-of-experiments-until-they-re-confirmed-by/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Do not put too much confidence in experimental results until they have been confirmed by theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/do-not-put-too-much-confidence-in-experimental-results-until-they/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [“I have taken the opportunity to update the book and include new theoretical and observational results obtained since the book was first published (on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/i-have-taken-the-opportunity-to-update-the-book-and-include-new/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [ My colleagues in elementary particle theory in many lands \[and I\] are driven by the usual insatiable curiosity of the scientist, and our work… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-gell-mann/my-colleagues-in-elementary-particle-theory-in-many-lands-and-i-are/) [Murray Gell-Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-gell-mann/) > [The usefulness of the models in constructing a testable theory of the process is severely limited by the quickly increasing number of parameters which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatol-rapoport/the-usefulness-of-the-models-in-constructing-a-testable-theory-of-the/) [Anatol Rapoport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatol-rapoport/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [Quantum physics fluctuates all the time. But now the fluctuations are not just particles coming into and out of existence, which happens all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/quantum-physics-fluctuates-all-the-time-but-now-the-fluctuations-are/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The fact -- not theory -- that evolution has occurred and the Darwinian theory as to how it occurred have become so confused in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gaylord-simpson/the-fact-not-theory-that-evolution-has-occurred-and-the-darwinian/) [George Gaylord Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gaylord-simpson/) > [I have a tendency to often share the point of view of the conspiracy theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-cotillard/i-have-a-tendency-to-often-share-the-point-of-view-of-the-conspiracy/) [Marion Cotillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-cotillard/) > [It is human to search for the theory of everything and it is superhuman to find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/it-is-human-to-search-for-the-theory-of-everything-and-it-is/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) > [“Quantum Technology Is No Longer Theoretical The quantum revolution is not the discovery of quantum physics. It is the transition from understanding quantum reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludmila-morozova-buss/quantum-technology-is-no-longer-theoretical-the-quantum-revolution-is/) [Ludmila Morozova-Buss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludmila-morozova-buss/) > [“The generalized theory of relativity has furnished still more remarkable results. This considers not only uniform but also accelerated motion. In particular, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-michelson/the-generalized-theory-of-relativity-has-furnished-still-more/) [A.A. Michelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-michelson/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More by Arthur Eddington > [Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/observation-and-theory-get-on-best-when-they-are-mixed-together-both/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Proof is an idol before which the mathematician tortures himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/proof-is-an-idol-before-which-the-mathematician-tortures-himself/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [It is one thing for the human mind to extract from the phenomena of nature the laws which it has itself put into them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/it-is-one-thing-for-the-human-mind-to-extract-from-the-phenomena-of/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Don't believe the results of experiments until they're confirmed by theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/don-t-believe-the-results-of-experiments-until-they-re-confirmed-by/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Probably the simplest hypothesis... is that there may be a slow process of annihilation of matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/probably-the-simplest-hypothesis-is-that-there-may-be-a-slow-process/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [There was a time when we wanted to be told what an electron is. The question was never answered. No familiar conceptions can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/there-was-a-time-when-we-wanted-to-be-told-what-an-electron-is-the/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [To the pure geometer the radius of curvature is an incidental characteristic - like the grin of the Cheshire cat. To the physicist it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/to-the-pure-geometer-the-radius-of-curvature-is-an-incidental/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Shuffling is the only thing which Nature cannot undo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/shuffling-is-the-only-thing-which-nature-cannot-undo/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/the-universe-will-finally-become-a-ball-of-radiation-becoming-more/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Science is one thing, wisdom is another. Science is an edged tool, with which men play like children, and cut their own fingers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/science-is-one-thing-wisdom-is-another-science-is-an-edged-tool-with/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because 'two' is 'one and one.' We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/we-often-think-that-when-we-have-completed-our-study-of-one-we-know/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [If your theory is found to be against the second law of thermodynamics I give you no hope; there is nothing for it but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/if-your-theory-is-found-to-be-against-the-second-law-of/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Human life is proverbially uncertain; few things are more certain than the solvency of a life-insurance company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/human-life-is-proverbially-uncertain-few-things-are-more-certain-than/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [ \[When thinking about the new relativity and quantum theories\] I have felt a homesickness for the paths of physical science where there are ore… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/when-thinking-about-the-new-relativity-and-quantum-theories-i-have/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [There is no space without aether, and no aether which does not occupy space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/there-is-no-space-without-aether-and-no-aether-which-does-not-occupy/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) [Explore all 81 Arthur Eddington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they are confirmed by theory.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arthur Eddington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmuch-confidence-in-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Confidence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmuch-confidence-in-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/arthur-eddington-8366_confidence_it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmu_3225842.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward…” — Arthur Eddington", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Arthur Eddington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is also a good rule...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmuch-confidence-in-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/it-is-also-a-good-rule-not-to-put-overmuch-confidence-in-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```