Click here to go to qoutes from people in science and physics , my general favourite quotes or Andrew's sayings .

Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless. Thomas Alva Edison

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. Thomas Alva Edison

We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything. Thomas Alva Edison

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. Thomas Alva Edison

There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the labor of thinking. Thomas Alva Edison

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something. Thomas Alva Edison

I sometimes ask myself how it came about that I was the one to develop the theory of relativity. The reason, I think, is that a normal adult never stops to think about problems of space and time. These are things which he has thought about as a child. But my intellectual development was retarded, as a result of which I began to wonder about space and time only when I had already grown up. Albert Einstein

The real problem is in the hearts and minds of men. It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man. Albert Einstein

A physicist is an atom's way of knowing about atoms. George Wald

If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Albert Einstein

In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it's the exact opposite. Paul Dirac

It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. Albert Einstein

Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing. Werner von Braun

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

I think that a particle must have a separate reality independent of the measurements. That is an electron has spin, location and so forth even when it is not being measured. I like to think that the moon is there even if I am not looking at it. Albert Einstein

All our lauded technological progress -- our very civilization - is like the axe in the hand of the pathological criminal. Albert Einstein

Relativity teaches us the connection between the different descriptions of one and the same reality. Albert Einstein

Reality must take precedence over public relations; for nature cannot be fooled. Richard P. Feynman

Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18. Albert Einstein

There are some things that are so serious you can only joke about them. Niels Bohr

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool. Richard P. Feynman

I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there. Richard P. Feynman

I believe that a scientist looking at nonscientific problems is just as dumb as the next guy. Richard P. Feynman

Reality must take precedence over public relations; for nature cannot be fooled. Richard P. Feynman

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Those who maintain that all is right talk nonsense; they ought to say that all is for the best. Voltaire

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Voltaire

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Thomas Alva Edison

I am a citizen, not of Athens or Greece, but of the world. Socrates

The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it. Marcus Aurelius

I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal. Jane Austen

They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they see nothing but sea. Francis Bacon

We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do. Francis Bacon

Revenge is a kind of wild justice. Francis Bacon

There is in human nature generally more of the fool than of the wise. Francis Bacon

Money is like muck, not good except it be spread. Francis Bacon

Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise. Francis Bacon

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator. Francis Bacon

Nature is often hidden; sometimes overcome; seldom extimguished. Francis Bacon

Houses are built to live in and not to look on. Francis Bacon

For knowledge itself is power. Francis Bacon

I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. Sir Isaac Newton

Yet it does move. (Attributed saying, after being forced to recant his doctrine that the Earth moves around the sun.) Galileo Galilei

Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better. Richard Hooker

Nature abhors a vacuum. Benedict Spinoza

I regard you with an indifference closely bordering on aversion. Robert Louis Stevenson

Old and young, we are all on our last cruise. Robert Louis Stevenson

Man with all his noble qualities, with sympathy that feels for the most debased, with benevolence which extends not only to other men but to the humblest creature, and with his God-like intellect which has penetrated into the movements and constitution of the solar system - with all these exalted powers - still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin. Charles Darwin

He who has begun is half done. Have the courage to be wise. Horace

When your neighbour's wall is on fire, it becomes your business. Horace

Brute force without wisdom falls by its own weight. Horace

I shall not altogether die. Horace

Science is nothing but trained and organised common sense. T. H. Huxley

Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors. T. H. Huxley

It is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end as superstitions. T. H. Huxley

A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. Thomas Jefferson

Love is like the measles, we all have to go through it. Jerome K. Jerome

Example is always more efficacious than precept. Dr Samuel Johnson

It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time. Dr Samuel Johnson

I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly, will hardly mind anything else. Dr Samuel Johnson

That fellow seems to me to possess but one idea, and that is a wrong one. Dr Samuel Johnson

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Dr Samuel Johnson

If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind; but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards. Dr Samuel Johnson

All censure of a man's self is oblique praise. It is in order to show how much he can spare. Dr Samuel Johnson

If you are idol, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle. Dr Samuel Johnson

Cats prefer houses to people. David Byrne

Nuclear weapons could destroy all life on earth, if used properly. David Byrne

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Quotes + Putdowns

Nature does not concern itself with morality, only functionality. Andrew Thompson

Self perception begins with the amoeba that moves from cold to warmth. Andrew Thompson

Great, patent it. Andrew Thompson (good for anyone claiming to have developed a perpetual motion machine or any other such nonsense.)

It's all well and fine to have a theory of physics, but show me your math. Andrew Thompson

They that are certain, are certainly fools. Andrew Thompson

Power that is given, can be taken away. True power must be seized. Andrew Thompson (A comment to the feminists and other 'empowerment' groups)

If you kick a cat today, it will avoid you tomorrow. Andrew Thompson

If you died locked in a basement with your dog and was found three weeks later, the gaunt dog would still be whimpering at your feet. If it were a cat it would issue a pathetic meeow, as it licked your blood off its whiskers. Andrew Thompson

The universe does not exist because I observe it. Time rolls on iregardless of clocks. Andrew Thompson

Science has as much business commenting on religion and faith, as the church has investigating the electron. Andrew Thompson

Favourite 'Throw Away' lines and 'Put Downs' .

S**t happens. Anon

Now, don't you worry your pretty little head about that. Andrew Thompson (John Wayne said it, I adopted it)

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Thompson Family Favourite

If I want your opinion, I'll TELL you what to say. Andrew Thompson (Well actually, my brother in-law)

Tell someone that gives a f**k. Anon

Ya get that. Anon

No, ..but wait, let me recons.. No! Andrew Thompson (Excellent for those who believe they can wear you down by nagging)

I can assimilate that. Andrew Thompson (well, this actually came from a character that appeared in a single episode of 'Trapper John MD' but I liked it so much I adopted it.

Were you born stupid, or did you just practice ... a lot . Andrew Thompson (I'm sure somebody else must have said this first, so I'll credit it to Anon.)

 What planet are you from? …And, is there air there? Anon