Numbers and Inquiry

“[…] we should take great care not to accept as true such properties of the numbers which we have discovered by observation and which are supported by induction alone. Indeed, we should use such a discovery as an opportunity to investigate more exactly the properties discovered and to prove or disprove them; in both cases we may learn something useful.” (Leonhard Euler)

 "There is no inquiry which is not finally reducible to a question of Numbers; for there is none which may not be conceived of as consisting in the determination of quantities by each other, according to certain relations." (Auguste Comte, “The Positive Philosophy”, 1830)

"When you can measure what you are talking about and express it in numbers, you know something about it." (Lord Kelvin)

“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” (Sir Arthur C Doyle, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, 1892)

“[…] numerous samples collected without a clear idea of what is to be done with the data are commonly less useful than a moderate number of samples collected in accordance with a specific design.” (William C Krumbein)

“The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers […] sometimes […] the purpose of computing numbers is not yet in sight.” (Richard Hamming, [Motto for the book] “Numerical Methods for Scientists and Engineers”, 1962)

“Data in isolation are meaningless, a collection of numbers. Only in context of a theory do they assume significance […]” (George Greenstein, “Frozen Star”, 1983)

“The value of having numbers - data - is that they aren't subject to someone else's interpretation. They are just the numbers. You can decide what they mean for you.” (Emily Oster, “Expecting Better”, 2013)

“Torture numbers and they’ll confess to anything.” (Gregg Easterbrook)

“If the statistics are boring, you've got the wrong numbers.” (Edward Tufte)