John Arbuthnot Quotes

27 Sourced Quotes

To understand the theory of chance thoroughly, requires a great knowledge of numbers, and a pretty competent one of Algebra.

John Arbuthnot
The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden together, moisten'd and cemented with a little seeth'd fat.

John Arbuthnot
John looked ruddy and plump, with a pair of cheeks like a trumpeter.

John Arbuthnot
I believe the calculation of the quantity of probability might be improved to a very useful and pleasant speculation, and applied to a great many events which are accidental, besides those of games; only these cases would be infinitely more confused, as depending on chances which the most part of men are ignorant of.

John Arbuthnot
It is surprising to see what superficial, inconsequential reasonings satisfy the most part of mankind. A piece of wit, a jest, a simile, or a quotation of an Author, passes for a mighty argument.... This weakness and effeminacy of mankind in being persuaded where they are delighted, have made them the sport of orators, poets, and men of wit.

John Arbuthnot
There are very few things which we know, which are not capable of being reduc'd to a Mathematical Reasoning... and where a Mathematical Reasoning can be had, it's as great folly to make use of any other, as to grope for a thing in the dark when you have a Candle standing by you.

John Arbuthnot
Truth can never be an enemy to true religion, which appears always to the best advantage when it is most examined.

John Arbuthnot
Mathematics make the mind attentive to the objects which it considers. This they do by entertaining it with a great variety of truths, which are delightful and evident, but not obvious.

John Arbuthnot
Mathematical studies may serve for a pleasant entertainment for those hours which young men are apt to throw away upon their vices.

John Arbuthnot
The mathematics are friends to religion; inasmuch as they charm the passions, restrain the impetuosity of imagination, and purge the mind from error and prejudice.

John Arbuthnot
He that sows his grain upon marble will have many a hungry belly before his harvest.

John Arbuthnot
A recovery in my case, and at my age, is impossible; the kindest wish of my friends is Euthanasia.

John Arbuthnot
In all ages and countries where learning hath prevailed, the mathematical sciences have been looked upon as the most considerable branch of it.

John Arbuthnot
Almighty Power, by whose most wise command, helpless, forlorn, uncertain, here I stand, take this faint glimmer of thyself away, or break into my soul with perfect day!

John Arbuthnot
The first Care in building of Cities, is to make them airy and well perflated; infectious Distempers must necessarily be propagated amongst Mankind living close together.

John Arbuthnot
By it [the microscope] Men have pursued Nature into its most retired recesses; so that now it can hardly anymore hide its greatest Mysteries from us.

John Arbuthnot
What I have said may serve to recommend mathematics for acquiring a vigorous constitution of mind; for which purpose they are as useful as exercise is for procuring health and strength to the body.

John Arbuthnot
King is a title which translated into several languages, signifies a magistrate with as many different degrees of power as there are kingdoms in the world, and he can have no power but what is given him by law; yea, even the supreme or legislative power is bound by the rules of equity, to govern by laws enacted, and published in due form; for what is not legal is arbitrary.

John Arbuthnot
The dumpling-eaters are a race sprung partly from the old Epicurean and partly from the Peripatetic Sect; they were first brought into Britain by Julius Caesar; and finding it a Land of Plenty, they wisely resolved never to go home again.

John Arbuthnot
Truth is the same thing to the understanding, as Music to the ear, and Beauty to the eye.

John Arbuthnot
All the visible Works of God Almighty are made in Number, Weight and Measure: Therefore, to consider them, we ought to understand Arithmetic, Geometry, and Statics...

John Arbuthnot
It is impossible for a Die, with such determin'd force and direction, not to fall on such determin'd side, only I don't know the force and direction which makes it fall on such determin'd side, and therefore I call it Chance, which is nothing but the want of art.

John Arbuthnot
Mathematical Knowledge adds a manly Vigour to the Mind, frees it from Prejudice, Credulity, and Superstition.

John Arbuthnot
Curle (who is one of the new terrors of Death) has been writing letters to every body for memoirs of his life.

John Arbuthnot
He [the writer] warns the heads of parties against believing their own lies.

John Arbuthnot
All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.

John Arbuthnot
Law is a Bottomless-Pit, it is a Cormorant, a Harpy, that devours every thing.

John Arbuthnot