Mary Somerville Quotes

12 Sourced Quotes

Nothing has afforded me so convincing a proof of the unity of the Deity as these purely mental conceptions of numerical and mathematical science which have been by slow degrees vouchsafed to man, and are still granted in these latter times by the Differential Calculus, now superseded by the Higher Algebra, all of which must have existed in that sublimely omniscient Mind from eternity.

Mary Somerville
Science, regarded as the pursuit of truth, which can only be attained by patient and unprejudiced investigation, wherein nothing is to be attempted, nothing so minute as to be justly disregarded, must ever afford occupation of consummate interest, and subject of elevated meditation.

Mary Somerville
There is a wide distinction between the degree of mathematical acquirement necessary for making discoveries, and that which is requisite for understanding what other have done.

Mary Somerville
The moral disposition of the age appears in the refinement of conversation.

Mary Somerville
That the study of mathematics and their application to astronomy are full of interest will be allowed by all who have devoted their time and attention to these pursuits; and they only can estimate the delight of arriving at truth, whether it be in the discovery of a world, or of a new property of numbers.

Mary Somerville
No circumstance in the natural world is more inexplicable than the diversity of form and color in the human race.

Mary Somerville
The traces of extreme antiquity perpetually occurring to the geologist give that information of the origin of things which we in vain look for in the other parts of the universe. They date the beginning of time [and] show that creation is the work of Him with whom "a thousand years are as one day, and one day as a thousand years."

Mary Somerville
A complete acquaintance with Physical Astronomy can only be attained by those who are well versed in the higher branches of mathematical and mechanical science: such alone can appreciate the extreme beauty of the results, and of the means by which these results are obtained.

Mary Somerville
Yonder starry sphere Of planets and of fix'd, in all her wheels, Resembles nearest mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular, Then most, when most irregular they seem.

Mary Somerville
Great discoveries generally lead to a variety of conclusions...

Mary Somerville
No one at this time can duly estimate the importance of Mrs Marcet's scientific works.

Mary Somerville
However profoundly we may penetrate the depths of space, there still remain innumerable systems, compared with which, those which seem so mighty to us must dwindle into insignificance, or even become invisible..

Mary Somerville