Jean-Baptiste Dumas Quotes

9 Sourced Quotes

I have seen many phases of life; I have moved in imperial circles, I have been a Minister of State; but if I had to live my life again, I would always remain in my laboratory, for the greatest joy of my life has been to accomplish original scientific work, and, next to that, to lecture to a set of intelligent students.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
In chemistry, our theories are crutches; to show that they are valid, they must be used to walk...A theory established with the help of twenty facts must explain thirty, and lead to the discovery of ten more.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
In inorganic chemistry the radicals are simple; in organic chemistry they are compounds—that is the sole difference.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
In organic chemistry there exist certain types which are conserved even when, in place of hydrogen, equal volumes of chlorine, of bromine, etc. are introduced.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Hypotheses are the crutches of science to be thrown away at the proper time.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
In the study of Nature conjecture must be entirely put aside, and vague hypothesis carefully guarded against. The study of Nature begins with facts, ascends to laws, and raises itself, as far as the limits of man's intellect will permit, to the knowledge of causes, by the threefold means of observation, experiment and logical deduction.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Till now it has been usual to discard a hypothesis as soon as it leads to absurdities, but to some modern investigators this course seems too inconvenient.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Truth is so beautiful that it deserves every effort a man can bestow to attain it; it is so fruitful that it carries along with it its own recompense. By keeping the end in view, without occupying ourselves with particulars, we find the ordinary details of prosperity and riches fall into their proper places.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Theories are like crutches; to prove that they are good, we must make use of them and walk.

Jean-Baptiste Dumas