--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it can't be expressed in figures, it…" description: "\"If it can't be expressed in figures, it is not science; it is opinion. It has long been known that one horse can run faster than another - but which on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/robert-a-heinlein-209_crucial_if-it-can-t-be-expressed-in-figures-it-i_3059018.jpg" --- # If it can't be expressed in figures, it is not science; it… ![“If it can't be expressed in figures, it is not science; it is opinion. It has long been known that one horse can run faster than another - but which one? Differences are crucial.” quote by Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/robert-a-heinlein-209_crucial_if-it-can-t-be-expressed-in-figures-it-i_3059018.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/robert-a-heinlein-209_crucial_if-it-can-t-be-expressed-in-figures-it-i_3059018.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa2/robert-a-heinlein-209_crucial_if-it-can-t-be-expressed-in-figures-it-i_3059018.jpg) > “If it can't be expressed in figures, it is not science; it is opinion. It has long been known that one horse can run faster than another - but which one? Differences are crucial.” [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Only quantifiable statements belong to science; otherwise they are opinion. **In simple terms:** Science requires measurable evidence. Key Takeaway Ground arguments in data. Themes science logic opinion Mood skeptical inquisitive Type analytical educational When to use this quote - research - policy making - education Key Concepts philosophy of science critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate fact from opinion? - When is speculation useful? A Different Perspective Not all valuable ideas are quantifiable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crucial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crucial/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Differences Crucial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences-crucial-2077797/) [Faster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faster/) [Faster Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faster-differences-5122507/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse/) [Horse Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse-run-1357119/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Known Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-horse-5122506/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-opinion-1413068/) ## Related quotes > [Experiencing differences is crucial to the human condition. 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