--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But at the same time, there must never be…" description: "\"But at the same time, there must never be the least hesitation in giving up a position the moment it is shown to be untenable. It is not going too far ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/william-bayliss-99843_doe_but-at-the-same-time-there-must-never-be_1538186.png" --- # But at the same time, there must never be the least… ![“But at the same time, there must never be the least hesitation in giving up a position the moment it is shown to be untenable. It is not going too far to say that the greatness of a scientific investigator does not rest on the fact of his having never made a mistake, but rather on his readiness to…” quote by William Bayliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/william-bayliss-99843_doe_but-at-the-same-time-there-must-never-be_1538186.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/william-bayliss-99843_doe_but-at-the-same-time-there-must-never-be_1538186.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/william-bayliss-99843_doe_but-at-the-same-time-there-must-never-be_1538186.png) > “But at the same time, there must never be the least hesitation in giving up a position the moment it is shown to be untenable. It is not going too far to say that the greatness of a scientific investigator does not rest on the fact of his having never made a mistake, but rather on his readiness to admit that he has done so, whenever the contrary evidence is cogent enough.” [William Bayliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bayliss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Scientific greatness stems not from never erring, but from openly correcting mistakes when evidence demands it, even if it means relinquishing a position. **In simple terms:** Great scientists admit mistakes when evidence shows it. Key Takeaway Embrace error correction for scientific integrity. Themes science integrity error correction evidence humility Mood reflective analytical Type scientific ethical When to use this quote - academic research - peer review - policy making - personal growth - public discourse Key Concepts philosophy of science critical thinking research methodology Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions support honest error correction? - What cultural changes encourage scientific humility? A Different Perspective Admitting errors can damage reputations or funding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contrary Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary-evidence-391549/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Evidence Cogent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence-cogent-5722930/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Greatness Scientific](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness-scientific-5539776/) [Hesitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesitation/) [Investigator Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investigator-does-2556464/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Made a mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made-a-mistake/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Readiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/readiness/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientific Investigator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-investigator-5722929/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Too far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-far/) ## Related quotes > [“There will be no change in this firm's concern for client confidentiality.' 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