Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;
He who would search for pearls, must dive below.

Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;
He who would search for pearls, must dive below.

I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I read more

I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.

The smallest errors are always the best.
[Fr., Les plus courtes erreurs sont toujours les meilleures.]

The smallest errors are always the best.
[Fr., Les plus courtes erreurs sont toujours les meilleures.]

Man approaches the unattainable truth through a succession of errors.

Man approaches the unattainable truth through a succession of errors.

I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as read more

I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views

When people once are in the wrong,
Each line they add is much too long;
Who fastest read more

When people once are in the wrong,
Each line they add is much too long;
Who fastest walks, but walks astray,
Is only furthest from his way.

There are men who never err, because they never propose anything
rational.
[Ger., Est giebt Menschen die gar read more

There are men who never err, because they never propose anything
rational.
[Ger., Est giebt Menschen die gar nicht irren, weil sie sich
nichts Vernunftiges vorsetzen.]

Error is just as important a condition of life as truth

Error is just as important a condition of life as truth

So shall you hear
Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
read more

So shall you hear
Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on th' inventors' heads.