The world little knows how many of the thoughts and theories which have passed through the mind of a scientific investigator, have been crushed in silence and secrecy by his own severe criticism and adverse examination!
Interpretation
The quote highlights the often unseen struggles and self-doubt that scientists experience in their pursuit of knowledge.
Michael Faraday's quote reflects the internal challenges faced by scientists, emphasizing that many innovative ideas and theories do not see the light of day due to the harsh self-criticism and scrutiny that researchers impose upon themselves. This underlines the importance of perseverance and the emotional toll of scientific inquiry, reminding us that the path to discovery is often fraught with self-doubt and fear of failure.
In practice
During a science conference, when discussing the struggles of research, I could use this quote to illustrate the hidden challenges faced by scientists.
I think chemistry is being frittered away by the hairsplitting of the organic chemists; we have new compounds discovered, which scarcely differ from the known ones and when discovered are valueless-very illustrations perhaps of their refinements in analysis, but very little aiding the progress of true science.
I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds.
It is on record that when a young aspirant asked Faraday the secret of his success as a scientific investigator, he replied, 'The secret is comprised in three words- Work, Finish, Publish.'
When I consider the multitude of associated forces which are diffused through nature - when I think of that calm balancing of their energies which enables those most powerful in themselves, most destructive to the world's creatures and economy, to dwell associated together and be made subservient to the wants of creation, I rise from the contemplation more than ever impressed with the wisdom, the beneficence, and grandeur, beyond our language to express, of the Great Disposer of us all.
Water is to me, I confess, a phenomenon which continually awakens new feelings of wonder as often as I view it.
It is right that we should stand by and act on our principles; but not right to hold them in obstinate blindness, or retain them when proved to be erroneous.
The law of floatation was not discovered by contemplating the sinking of things, but by contemplating the floating of things which floated naturally, and then intelligently asking why they did so.
Many people and governments share the mistaken belief that science, with new, ingenious devices and techniques, can rescue us from the troubles we face without our having to mend our ways and change our patterns of activity. This is not so.
The earth also is spherical, since it presses upon its center from every direction.
Out Milky Way is the dwelling; the nebulae are the city.
Science is wonderfully equipped to answer the question 'How?' but it gets terribly confused when you ask the question 'Why?'
As a physicist, I've always found cosmology to be a rational elixir; it distances me from ordinary concerns.
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