Quotes from Lord Kelvin

Fourier is a mathematical poem.

The fact that mathematics does such a good job of describing the Universe is a mystery that we don't understand. And a debt that we will probably never be able to repay.

To live among friends is the primary essential of happiness.

Can you measure it? Can you express it in figures? Can you make a model of it? If not, your theory is apt to be based more upon imagination than upon knowledge.

When you cannot measure, your knowledge is meager and unsatisfactory.

If you study science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God.

Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.

In science there is only physics; all the rest is stamp collecting.

When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it.

If you cannot measure it, then it is not science.

All of science can be divided into physics and stamp-collecting.

I believe that the more thoroughly science is studied, the further does it take us from anything comparable to atheism.

Science is bound, by the everlasting vow of honour, to face fearlessly every problem which can be fairly presented to it.

The vortex theory [of the atom] is only a dream. Itself unproven, it can prove nothing, and any speculations founded upon it are mere dreams about dreams.

Simplification of modes of proof is not merely an indication of advance in our knowledge of a subject, but is also the surest guarantee of readiness for farther progress.

There is nothing in science which teaches the origin of anything at all.

All science is either Physics or stamp-collecting.

Radio has no future." "X-rays are clearly a hoax". "The aeroplane is scientifically impossible.

The more thoroughly I conduct scientific research, the more I believe that science excludes atheism.

There cannot be a greater mistake than that of looking superciliously upon practical applications of science. The life and soul of science is its practical application.

Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in race horses and women.

The true measure of a man is what he would do if he knew he would never be caught.

Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in race horses and fancy women.

The atheistic idea is so nonsensical that I cannot put it into words.