JOHN ARBUTHNOT QUOTES
Scottish physician, satirist & scholar (1667-1735)
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
A Learned Dissertation on Dumpling
To bliss unknown by lofty soul aspires,
My lot unequal to my vast desires.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
"Know Yourself", A Supplement to the Miscellaneous Works of the Late Dr. Arbuthnot
First then, I lay down for a principle, that nobody at an University is to be taught the practice of any rule without the true and solid reason and demonstration of the same. Rules without demonstration must and ought to be taught to seamen, artisans, &c. as I have already said; and schools for such people are fit in seaports and trading towns; but it is far below the dignity of an University, which is designed for solid and true learning, to do this.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
Mathematical studies may serve for a pleasant entertainment for those hours which young men are apt to throw away upon their vices.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
Biography is one of the new terrors of death.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
attributed, Speaker's Handbook of Epigrams and Witticisms
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
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
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 Freeholder's Political Catechism", A Supplement to the Miscellaneous Works of the Late Dr. Arbuthnot
So man, amongst his fellow brutes expos'd,
See's he's a king, but 'tis a king depos'd;
Pity him, beasts! you by no law confin'd,
Are barr'd from devious paths by being blind.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
"Know Yourself", A Supplement to the Miscellaneous Works of the Late Dr. Arbuthnot
Unjust force can never give any just dominion.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
"The Freeholder's Political Catechism", A Supplement to the Miscellaneous Works of the Late Dr. Arbuthnot
Truth is the same thing to the understanding, as Music to the ear, and Beauty to the eye.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
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
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
Truth can never be an enemy to true religion, which appears always to the best advantage when it is most examined.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
Law is a Bottomless-Pit, it is a Cormorant, a Harpy, that devours every thing.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
The History of John Bull
Mathematical Knowledge adds a manly Vigour to the Mind, frees it from Prejudice, Credulity, and Superstition.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning
There are very few things which we know, which are not capable of being reduced to a Mathematical Reasoning; and when they cannot it's a sign our knowledge of them is very small and confused; and when a Mathematical Reasoning can be had it's as great a 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
"Of the Hazards of Game", A Supplement to the Miscellaneous Works of the Late Dr. Arbuthnot
Among innumerable footsteps of divine providence to be found in the works of nature, there is a very remarkable one to be observed in the exact balance that is maintained, between the numbers of men and women; for by this means is provided, that the species never may fail, nor perish, since every male may have its female, and of proportionable age. This equality of males and females is not the effect of chance but divine providence, working for a good end.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
"An Argument for Divine Providence, taken from the Constant Regularity observ’d in the Births of both Sexes", Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
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
Of the Laws of Chance
When I became thoroughly acquainted with the Greek and Roman authors, I thought it incumbent upon me to do something towards the honor of the place of my nativity, and to vindicate the rhetoric of this ancient forum of our Metropolis from the aspersions of the illiterate by composing A Treatise of the Alercation of the Ancients; wherein I have demonstrated that the purity, sincerity, and simplicity of their diction is nowhere so well preserved as amongst my neighbourhood.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
A Brief Account of Mr. John Gonglicutt's Treatise Concerning the Alercation or Scolding of the Ancients
All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.
JOHN ARBUTHNOT
attributed, Life of Emerson
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
"Of the Hazards of Game", A Supplement to the Miscellaneous Works of the Late Dr. Arbuthnot