--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Discoveries are always accidental; and…" description: "\"Discoveries are always accidental; and the great use of science is by investigating the nature of the effects produced by any process or contrivance, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/benjamin-thompson-84628_causes_discoveries-are-always-accidental-and-th_2030482.jpg" --- # Discoveries are always accidental; and the great use of… ![“Discoveries are always accidental; and the great use of science is by investigating the nature of the effects produced by any process or contrivance, and of the causes by which they are brought about, to explain the operation and determine the precise value of every new invention. This fixes as it…” quote by Benjamin Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/benjamin-thompson-84628_causes_discoveries-are-always-accidental-and-th_2030482.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/benjamin-thompson-84628_causes_discoveries-are-always-accidental-and-th_2030482.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/benjamin-thompson-84628_causes_discoveries-are-always-accidental-and-th_2030482.jpg) > “Discoveries are always accidental; and the great use of science is by investigating the nature of the effects produced by any process or contrivance, and of the causes by which they are brought about, to explain the operation and determine the precise value of every new invention. This fixes as it were the latitude and longitude of each discovery, and enables us to place it in that part of the map of human knowledge which it ought to occupy. It likewise enables us to use it in taking bearings and distances, and in shaping our course when we go in search of new discoveries.” [Benjamin Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding discovery requires mapping causes and effects to locate its place in knowledge and guide future work. **In simple terms:** Map causes to locate discoveries. Key Takeaway Identify and map effects to guide innovation. Themes science methodology knowledge discovery navigation Mood analytical inquisitive Type explanatory instructional When to use this quote - research planning - inventor development - academic study - technology forecasting - policy making Key Concepts causality mapping precision valuation Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance systematic analysis with creative insight? - What tools help map complex discoveries? A Different Perspective May overlook serendipity and creative intuition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Determine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine/) [Discoveries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discoveries/) [Discoveries Accidental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discoveries-accidental-3726163/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Human knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-knowledge/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Investigating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investigating/) [Latitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latitude/) [Latitude and longitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latitude-and-longitude-104297/) [Longitude Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longitude-discovery-3726162/) [Maps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maps/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [New discoveries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-discoveries/) [New inventions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-inventions/) [Operations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operations/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Precise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precise/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Investigating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-investigating-3726164/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Uses of science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uses-of-science/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [Handsome widows, after a twelve-month, enjoy a latitude and longitude without limit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/handsome-widows-after-a-twelve-month-enjoy-a-latitude-and-longitude/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The history of religions, of which Christianity is a transcendent element, awaits the deepest study. It requires Bibles to free from Bibles. 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It is a practice that draws on arts, craft and science and there is a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mintzberg/i-describe-management-as-arts-crafts-and-science-it-is-a-practice/) [Henry Mintzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mintzberg/) > [The intelligent use of science and technology are the tools with which to achieve a new direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/the-intelligent-use-of-science-and-technology-are-the-tools-with/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [In my work, I am not attempting to predict the future. 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Virtue never dwelt long with filth; nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-thompson/so-great-is-the-effect-of-cleanliness-upon-man-that-it-extends-even/) [Benjamin Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-thompson/) > [To engage in experiments on heat was always one of my most agreeable employments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-thompson/to-engage-in-experiments-on-heat-was-always-one-of-my-most-agreeable/) [Benjamin Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-thompson/) [Explore all 3 Benjamin Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-thompson/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. 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Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. 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