Schriften, Zweiter Teil (Berlin, 1901), p. 223.
[811]. It has long been a complaint against mathematicians that they are hard to convince: but it is a far greater disqualification both for philosophy, and for the affairs of life, to be too easily convinced; to have too low a standard of proof. The only sound intellects are those which, in the first instance, set their standards of proof high. Practice in concrete affairs soon teaches them to make the necessary abatement: but they retain the consciousness, without which there is no sound practical reasoning, that in accepting inferior evidence because there is no better to be had, they do not by that acceptance raise it to completeness.—Mill, J. S.
An Examination of Sir William Hamilton’s Philosophy (London, 1878), p. 611.
[812]. It is easier to square the circle than to get round a mathematician.—De Morgan, A.
Budget of Paradoxes (London, 1872), p. 90.
[813]. Mathematicians are like Frenchmen: whatever you say to them they translate into their own language and forthwith it is something entirely different.—Goethe.
Maximen und Reflexionen, Sechste Abtheilung.
[814]. What I chiefly admired, and thought altogether unaccountable, was the strong disposition I observed in them [the mathematicians of Laputa] towards news and politics; perpetually inquiring into public affairs; giving their judgments in matters of state; and passionately disputing every inch of party opinion. I have indeed observed the same disposition among most of the mathematicians I have known in Europe, although I could never discover the least analogy between the two sciences.—Swift, Jonathan.
Gulliver’s Travels, Part 3, chap. 2.