--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of course a certain number of scientists…" description: "\"Of course a certain number of scientists have to go mad, just to keep the tradition alive.\" — Matt Ruff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/matt-ruff-32892_alive_of-course-a-certain-number-of-scientists_1895085.jpg" --- # Of course a certain number of scientists have to go mad… ![“Of course a certain number of scientists have to go mad, just to keep the tradition alive.” quote by Matt Ruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/matt-ruff-32892_alive_of-course-a-certain-number-of-scientists_1895085.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/matt-ruff-32892_alive_of-course-a-certain-number-of-scientists_1895085.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/matt-ruff-32892_alive_of-course-a-certain-number-of-scientists_1895085.jpg) > “Of course a certain number of scientists have to go mad, just to keep the tradition alive.” [Matt Ruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-ruff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Scientists sometimes must embrace eccentricity to preserve innovative tradition. **In simple terms:** Madness fuels scientific progress. Key Takeaway Accept creative chaos. Themes science madness tradition creativity Mood curious playful Type inspirational analytical When to use this quote - Research labs - artistic projects - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts Innovation risk culture Questions to Reflect On - When has unconventional thinking helped you? - What risks are worth taking for innovation? A Different Perspective Eccentricity can alienate collaborators. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientists/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [“All scientists are mad scientists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/all-scientists-are-mad-scientists/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [One could count on one's fingers the number of scientists throughout the world with a general idea of the history and development of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/one-could-count-on-one-s-fingers-the-number-of-scientists-throughout/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [“I wasn't kidding about the flying-kids part. Or the talking-dog part. 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Malcolm X…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/christians-got-a-lot-of-work-to-do-but-the-spirit-of-dorothy-day-is/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [For tradition to be alive it has to be allowed to be a fountain of power for things undreamt of, things to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabra-ibrahim-jabra/for-tradition-to-be-alive-it-has-to-be-allowed-to-be-a-fountain-of/) [Jabra Ibrahim Jabra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabra-ibrahim-jabra/) > [Don't let people see when you're mad - just smile and laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astro/don-t-let-people-see-when-you-re-mad-just-smile-and-laugh/) [Astro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astro/) > [Don't ever call me mad, Mycroft. I'm not mad. I'm just ... well, differently moraled, that's all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/don-t-ever-call-me-mad-mycroft-i-m-not-mad-i-m-just-well-differently/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [A goodly number of scientists are not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-watson/a-goodly-number-of-scientists-are-not-only-narrow-minded-and-dull-but/) [James D. 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