Colin Maclaurin - Collected Quotes

"A strong curiosity has prompted men in all times to study nature; every useful art has some connexion with the science; and the unexhausted beauty and variety of things makes it ever agreeable, new and surprising." (Colin Maclaurin, "An Account of Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophical Discoveries", 1748)

"Algebra is a general Method of Computation by certain signs and symbols which have been contrived for the Purpose, and found convenient." (Colin Maclaurin, "A Treatise of Algebra", 1748)

"As magnitude, of every sort, abstractedly considered, is capable of being increased to infinity, and is also divisible without end; so we find that, in nature, the limits of the greatest and least dimensions of things, are actually placed at an immense distance from each other." (Colin Maclaurin, "An Account of Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophical Discoveries", 1748)

"Is it not therefore the business of philosophy, in our present situation in the universe, to attempt to take in at once, in one view, the whole scheme of nature; but to extend, with great care and circumspection, our knowledge, by just steps, from sensible things as far as our observations or reasonings from them will carry us in our enquiries concerning either the greater motions and operations of nature, or her more subtle and hidden works." (Colin Maclaurin, "An Account of Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophical Discoveries", 1748)

"The processes of nature lie so deep, that, after all the pains we can take, much, perhaps, will remain undiscovered beyond the reach of human art or skill. But this is no reason why we should give ourselves up to the belief of fictions, be they ever so ingenious, instead of hearkening to the unerring voice of nature […]" (Colin Maclaurin, "An Account of Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophical Discoveries", 1748)

"Those who have not imbibed the prejudices of philosophers, are easily convinced that natural knowledge is to be founded on experiment and observation." (Colin Maclaurin, "An Account of Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophical Discoveries", 1748)

"When two quantities equal in respect of magnitude, but of those opposite kinds, are joined together, and conceived to take place in the same subject, they destroy each other’s effect, and their amount is nothing." (Colin MacLaurin, "A Treatise of Algebra", 1748)