André-Marie Ampère

Physics French 1775 – 1836 369 quotes

One of the founders of the science of classical electromagnetism, which he referred to as 'electrodynamics'.

Most quoted

"The most general law of electrodynamic action is that two elements of current attract or repel each other in the inverse ratio of the square of their distance, and in the direct ratio of the product of their lengths and of the sines of the angles which they make with the line joining them."

— from Théorie mathématique des phénomènes électrodynamiques, uniquement déduite de l'expérience, 1826

"The force between two current elements is proportional to the product of their lengths, to the product of the currents they carry, and to the sine of the angle between their directions, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them."

— from Mémoire sur la théorie mathématique des phénomènes électrodynamiques, uniquement déduite de l'expérience, 1826

"The facts are the only things that are certain in science, and the only way to arrive at truth is to observe them carefully and to deduce from them, by means of rigorous reasoning, the laws that govern them."

— from Essai sur la philosophie des sciences, ou Exposition analytique d'une classification naturelle de toutes les connaissances humaines

All quotes by André-Marie Ampère (369)

The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.

Attributed 1820

The important thing is not to stop questioning.

Attributed 1820

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.

Attributed 1820

The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.

Attributed 1820

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Attributed 1820

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.

Attributed 1820

The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.

Attributed 1820

A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space.

Attributed 1820

The only way to escape the corruptible effect of praise is to go on working.

Attributed 1820

The more I study, the more I am convinced that the world is governed by laws that are not of our making.

Attributed 1820

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

Attributed 1820

The only thing that is constant is change.

Attributed 1820

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.

Attributed 1820

The mind is everything. What you think you become.

Attributed 1820

The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Attributed 1820

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Attributed 1820

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Attributed 1820

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Attributed 1820

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Attributed 1820

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

Attributed 1820