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How could the square of a vector be negative? And Hamilton was so positive about it. After the deepest research, the youth gave it up, and returned the books. He then died, and was never seen again. He had begun the study of Quaternions too soon.

— Oliver Heaviside Electromagnetic Theory (1912)

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More quotes by Oliver Heaviside

Am I to refuse to eat because I do not fully understand the mechanism of digestion?

However absurd it may seem, I do in all seriousness hereby declare that I am animated mainly by philanthropic motives. I desire to do good to my fellow creatures, even to the Cui bonos.

Electrical Papers (1882)

Waves from moving sources: Adagio. Andante. Allegro moderato.

Electromagnetic Theory (1912)

If you are different, you had better hide it, and pretend to be solemn and wooden-headed. Until you make your fortune. For most wooden-headed people worship money; and, really, I do not see what else they can do.

Electromagnetic Theory (1912)

We do not dwell in the Palace of Truth. But, as was mentioned to me not long since, "There is a time coming when all things shall be found out." I am not so sanguine myself, believing that the well in which Truth is said to reside is really a bottomless pit.

Electromagnetic Theory (1893)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Oliver Heaviside (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.