Hendrik Lorentz
Developed the Lorentz transformations, which form the basis of Einstein's special relativity.
Most quoted
"One cannot escape the feeling that these mathematical formulae have an independent existence and an intelligence of their own, that they are wiser than we are, wiser even than their discoverers, that we get more out of them than was originally put into them."
— from Attributed remark
"It is not impossible that in the future we may have theories which are more general than those we now possess, and which will reduce our present theories to special cases, just as the theory of relativity has reduced the older mechanics to a special case."
— from Lectures on Theoretical Physics, 1920
"The difficulties which we encounter in the theory of electrons are largely due to the fact that we are dealing with phenomena which are on the borderland between the domain of ordinary experience and that of the infinitely small."
— from The Theory of Electrons, 1909
All quotes by Hendrik Lorentz (409)
Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it.
The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.
Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.
The only source of knowledge is experience.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.
The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
The only way to escape the corruptible effect of praise is to go on working.
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
The only real valuable thing is intuition.
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love.
Contemporaries of Hendrik Lorentz
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Hendrik Lorentz (1853–1928).