--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are worse sins for a scientist than…" description: "\"There are worse sins for a scientist than to be wrong. One is to be trivial\" — Robert MacArthur" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/robert-macarthur-107666_inspirational_there-are-worse-sins-for-a-scientist-tha_3174615.png" --- # There are worse sins for a scientist than to be wrong. One… ![“There are worse sins for a scientist than to be wrong. One is to be trivial” quote by Robert MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/robert-macarthur-107666_inspirational_there-are-worse-sins-for-a-scientist-tha_3174615.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/robert-macarthur-107666_inspirational_there-are-worse-sins-for-a-scientist-tha_3174615.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28c/robert-macarthur-107666_inspirational_there-are-worse-sins-for-a-scientist-tha_3174615.png) > “There are worse sins for a scientist than to be wrong. One is to be trivial” [Robert MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-macarthur/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being wrong as a scientist is less severe than being trivial; the latter undermines scientific progress and credibility. **In simple terms:** Triviality harms science more than occasional errors. Key Takeaway Avoid triviality, focus on meaningful contribution. Themes science integrity triviality responsibility Mood reflective critical serious Type Inspirational:0 Love:0 Science:1 Scientist:1 Sin:0 Worse Sins:0 Scientist Wrong:0 Sins Scientist:0 Wrong Trivial:0 When to use this quote - research design - peer review - public communication - policy advice Key Concepts epistemology professional ethics impact Questions to Reflect On - What makes a scientific contribution trivial? - How can one balance humility and significance? A Different Perspective Trivial work can be dismissed, limiting influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Scientist Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist-wrong-3525481/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sins Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sins-scientist-5792629/) [Worse Sins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse-sins-2750047/) [Wrong Trivial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-trivial-5792630/) ## Related quotes > [“I tried so hard to fix what I'd ruined. I tried every single day to be what they wanted. 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