--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In science, probably ninety-nine percent…" description: "\"In science, probably ninety-nine percent of the knowable has to be discovered. We know only a few streaks about astronomy. We are only beginning to ima..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/lincoln-steffens-10842_astronomy_in-science-probably-ninety-nine-percent_128096.jpg" --- # In science, probably ninety-nine percent of the knowable… ![“In science, probably ninety-nine percent of the knowable has to be discovered. We know only a few streaks about astronomy. We are only beginning to imagine the force and composition of the atom. Physics has not yet found any indivisible matter, or psychology a sensible soul.” quote by Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/lincoln-steffens-10842_astronomy_in-science-probably-ninety-nine-percent_128096.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/lincoln-steffens-10842_astronomy_in-science-probably-ninety-nine-percent_128096.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/lincoln-steffens-10842_astronomy_in-science-probably-ninety-nine-percent_128096.jpg) > “In science, probably ninety-nine percent of the knowable has to be discovered. We know only a few streaks about astronomy. We are only beginning to imagine the force and composition of the atom. Physics has not yet found any indivisible matter, or psychology a sensible soul.” [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science has barely uncovered the knowable; vast unknowns remain in astronomy, atomic physics, and psychology. **In simple terms:** We know very little; much remains to discover. Key Takeaway Embrace scientific curiosity. Themes science unknown exploration humility Mood curious humble Type scientific inspirational When to use this quote - research - education - innovation Key Concepts epistemology philosophy Practical Applications - Support research funding - Study basic concepts Questions to Reflect On - What unknown intrigues you most? - How can you contribute to discovery? A Different Perspective Science may overestimate unknowns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) [Atoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atoms/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Streaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streaks/) ## Related quotes > [The best picture has not yet been painted; the greatest poem is still unsung; the mightiest novel remains to be written; the divinest music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-steffens/the-best-picture-has-not-yet-been-painted-the-greatest-poem-is-still/) [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) > [Whatever we thought was certain is no longer certain, and therefore in science probably certain things must be correct, but in human behaviour I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/whatever-we-thought-was-certain-is-no-longer-certain-and-therefore-in/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Science is a hobby, and I'm really into it, but it's not my job. My job is to learn about comedy and to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-miller/science-is-a-hobby-and-i-m-really-into-it-but-it-s-not-my-job-my-job/) [Ben Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-miller/) > [Back of ninety-nine out of one-hundred assertions that a thing cannot be done is nothing, but the unwillingness to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/back-of-ninety-nine-out-of-one-hundred-assertions-that-a-thing-cannot/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [Ninety-nine percent of all work on self is attitudinal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-j-gold/ninety-nine-percent-of-all-work-on-self-is-attitudinal/) E. J. Gold > [Ninety-nine percent of Americans have never had malaria, but I've been in Africa and have had malaria six times, so I can say now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-wilkinson/ninety-nine-percent-of-americans-have-never-had-malaria-but-i-ve-been/) [Bruce Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-wilkinson/) > [Ninety-nine percent of humanity does not know that we have the option to "make it" economically on this planet and in the Universe. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/ninety-nine-percent-of-humanity-does-not-know-that-we-have-the-option/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Young men of this class never do anything for themselves that they can get other people to do for them, and it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/young-men-of-this-class-never-do-anything-for-themselves-that-they/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/none-of-my-inventions-came-by-accident-i-see-a-worthwhile-need-to-be/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [SAUCE, n. The one infallible sign of civilization and enlightenment. 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It has been done; not often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-steffens/it-is-possible-to-get-an-education-at-a-university-it-has-been-done/) [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) > [ “I have seen the Future and it works. \[remark after visiting the Soviet Union in 1919\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-steffens/i-have-seen-the-future-and-it-works-remark-after-visiting-the-soviet/) [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) [Explore all 63 Lincoln Steffens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) ## More Astronomy quotes > [I have inside me the winds, the deserts, the oceans, the stars, and everything created in the universe. 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