Assumptions Quotes

The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

There never comes a point where a theory can be said to be true. The most that one can claim for any theory is that it has shared the successes of all its rivals and that it has passed at least one test which they have failed.

Sir Alfred Jules Ayer

It is not enough for theory to describe and analyze, it must itself be an event in the universe it describes. In order to do this theory must partake of and become the acceleration of this logic. It must tear itself from all referents and take pride only in the future. Theory must operate on time at the cost of a deliberate distortion of present reality.

Jean Baudrillard

There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate: when he can't afford it, and when he can.

Mark Twain

The world can doubtless never be well known by theory: practice is absolutely necessary; but surely it is of great use to a young man, before he sets out for that country, full of mazes, windings, and turnings, to have at least a general map of it, made by some experienced traveler.

Lord Chesterfield

Speculation is only a word covering the making of money out of the manipulation of prices, instead of supplying goods and services.

Henry Ford