--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who will observe the observers?" description: "\"Who will observe the observers?\" — Arthur Eddington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png" --- # Who will observe the observers? ![“Who will observe the observers?” quote by Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png) > “Who will observe the observers?” [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. The quote challenges us to consider who watches those in power, implying the need for oversight and accountability. **In simple terms:** Question who watches authority. Key Takeaway Seek transparency and checks on power. Themes accountability surveillance ethics Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - government oversight - media reporting - corporate governance - civil society Key Concepts philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - Who holds the observers accountable? - What mechanisms ensure oversight? A Different Perspective Power can be opaque, making oversight difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I don't believe in objectivity. I observe the observer's paradox every moment I'm filming. Your presence is changing everything; there's no mistaking it. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-walker/i-don-t-believe-in-objectivity-i-observe-the-observer-s-paradox-every/) [Lucy Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-walker/) > [I can go to a lot of games, but I'm not a player. I'm kind of an observer. That's why I think I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-can-go-to-a-lot-of-games-but-i-m-not-a-player-i-m-kind-of-an/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [Is it possible to observe without the observer?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/is-it-possible-to-observe-without-the-observer/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/in-einstein-s-theory-of-relativity-the-observer-is-a-man-who-sets-out/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hasidic/everyone-should-carefully-observe-which-way-his-heart-draws-him-and/) Hasidic > [If you want to evolve and reinvent yourself, you will need to observe people and explore a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rithvik-dhanjani/if-you-want-to-evolve-and-reinvent-yourself-you-will-need-to-observe/) [Rithvik Dhanjani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rithvik-dhanjani/) > [You can't observe as much if you're observed by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/you-can-t-observe-as-much-if-you-re-observed-by-others/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [I am an emotional and fragile person. I observe life, I am perceptive and can read a person's body language. I have a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madhur-bhandarkar/i-am-an-emotional-and-fragile-person-i-observe-life-i-am-perceptive/) [Madhur Bhandarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madhur-bhandarkar/) > [I used to follow people home. I just like being anonymous so much that I would follow people home because they didn't know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/i-used-to-follow-people-home-i-just-like-being-anonymous-so-much-that/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [Life is the biggest workshop: you have to observe life. You have to be one with the milieu more than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/life-is-the-biggest-workshop-you-have-to-observe-life-you-have-to-be/) [Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/) > [I write about what I know, what I live, what I observe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-momsen/i-write-about-what-i-know-what-i-live-what-i-observe/) [Taylor Momsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-momsen/) > [“There is a time and place for electromagnetic shielding and I regard it as a last resort due to the long term biological problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/there-is-a-time-and-place-for-electromagnetic-shielding-and-i-regard/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Take the time to observe the simple and ponder upon the seemingly insignificant. You’ll find a wealth of depth and beauty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-charlene/take-the-time-to-observe-the-simple-and-ponder-upon-the-seemingly/) Melanie Charlene > [I feel as if my mission is to write, to see, to observe, and I feel lazy if I'm not reaching conclusions. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/i-feel-as-if-my-mission-is-to-write-to-see-to-observe-and-i-feel-lazy/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [“I notice when you’re gone. Or do I? How can I observe something that isn’t there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-notice-when-you-re-gone-or-do-i-how-can-i-observe-something-that/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## 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 Observe quotes > [“I notice when you’re gone. Or do I? How can I observe something that isn’t there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-notice-when-you-re-gone-or-do-i-how-can-i-observe-something-that/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I feel as if my mission is to write, to see, to observe, and I feel lazy if I'm not reaching conclusions. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/i-feel-as-if-my-mission-is-to-write-to-see-to-observe-and-i-feel-lazy/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [“Take the time to observe the simple and ponder upon the seemingly insignificant. You’ll find a wealth of depth and beauty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-charlene/take-the-time-to-observe-the-simple-and-ponder-upon-the-seemingly/) Melanie Charlene > [“There is a time and place for electromagnetic shielding and I regard it as a last resort due to the long term biological problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/there-is-a-time-and-place-for-electromagnetic-shielding-and-i-regard/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [I write about what I know, what I live, what I observe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-momsen/i-write-about-what-i-know-what-i-live-what-i-observe/) [Taylor Momsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-momsen/) > [Life is the biggest workshop: you have to observe life. You have to be one with the milieu more than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/life-is-the-biggest-workshop-you-have-to-observe-life-you-have-to-be/) [Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/) > [I used to follow people home. I just like being anonymous so much that I would follow people home because they didn't know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/i-used-to-follow-people-home-i-just-like-being-anonymous-so-much-that/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [I am an emotional and fragile person. I observe life, I am perceptive and can read a person's body language. I have a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madhur-bhandarkar/i-am-an-emotional-and-fragile-person-i-observe-life-i-am-perceptive/) [Madhur Bhandarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madhur-bhandarkar/) > [You can't observe as much if you're observed by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/you-can-t-observe-as-much-if-you-re-observed-by-others/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [If you want to evolve and reinvent yourself, you will need to observe people and explore a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rithvik-dhanjani/if-you-want-to-evolve-and-reinvent-yourself-you-will-need-to-observe/) [Rithvik Dhanjani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rithvik-dhanjani/) > [Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hasidic/everyone-should-carefully-observe-which-way-his-heart-draws-him-and/) Hasidic > [I worked among many famous philosophers, and I tried to observe how they treated students. I knew which ones I wanted to be like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/i-worked-among-many-famous-philosophers-and-i-tried-to-observe-how/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/if-you-must-break-the-law-do-it-to-seize-power-in-all-other-cases/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [Mediocrity can talk, but it is for genius to observe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/mediocrity-can-talk-but-it-is-for-genius-to-observe/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [I'm never bored, never ever bored. If I've got a day off I'll sit in a cafe and watch and observe. I'm a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suchet/i-m-never-bored-never-ever-bored-if-i-ve-got-a-day-off-i-ll-sit-in-a/) [David Suchet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suchet/) Browse all 409 Observe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Who will observe the observers?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arthur Eddington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/who-will-observe-the-observers/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Observe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/who-will-observe-the-observers/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/arthur-eddington-8366_observe_who-will-observe-the-observers-1441639_1441639.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Who will observe the observers?” — 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": "Who will observe the observers?", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/who-will-observe-the-observers/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/who-will-observe-the-observers/#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 } } ] } ```