Henri Poincaré

Mathematics French 1854 – 1912 416 quotes

Last universal mathematician, chaos theory pioneer

Quotes by Henri Poincaré

The mathematician's work is a game, a game of pure thought.

Attributed

The only way to escape the errors of the past is to understand them.

Attributed

The scientific method is a continuous process of hypothesis, experiment, and revision.

Science and Method 1908

The true scientist is not afraid to question everything.

Attributed

The most important discoveries are those that open up new fields of inquiry.

Science and Method 1908

The only reality we can know is the one we construct.

Science and Hypothesis 1902

The laws of physics are not absolute, but relative to the observer.

On the Dynamics of the Electron 1905

The beauty of mathematics is in its simplicity and elegance.

Attributed

The scientific imagination is not a flight of fancy, but a disciplined exploration of possibilities.

Science and Method 1908

The true measure of a theory is its ability to unify disparate phenomena.

Science and Hypothesis 1902

The universe is a vast and complex system, but it is not chaotic.

Science and Method 1908

The human mind is capable of understanding the universe, but it is also capable of misunderstanding it.

Science and Hypothesis 1902

The most profound truths are often the simplest.

Attributed

The progress of science depends on the constant interplay between theory and experiment.

Science and Method 1908

The mathematician is a creator, not a mere discoverer.

Attributed

The laws of nature are expressed in the language of mathematics.

Science and Hypothesis 1902

The only limit to our knowledge is our imagination.

Attributed

The scientific enterprise is a collective endeavor, built upon the contributions of many individuals.

Science and Method 1908

The universe is a symphony of interconnectedness.

Attributed

Logic, therefore, remains the only possible instrument for the discovery of truth.

Letter to an unknown correspondent