The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that read more

The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair

Knowledge being to be had only of visible and certain truth,
error is not a fault of our knowledge, read more

Knowledge being to be had only of visible and certain truth,
error is not a fault of our knowledge, but a mistake of our
judgment, giving assent to that which is not true.

To err is human, but to persevere in error is only the act of a
fool.
[Lat., Cujusvis read more

To err is human, but to persevere in error is only the act of a
fool.
[Lat., Cujusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in
errore perseverare.]

All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to read more

All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it.

While man's desires and aspirations stir,
He can not choose but err.
[Ger., Es irrt der Mensch read more

While man's desires and aspirations stir,
He can not choose but err.
[Ger., Es irrt der Mensch so lang er strebt.]

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.

Man approaches the unattainable truth through a succession of errors.

Man approaches the unattainable truth through a succession of errors.

Ah, poor our sex! this fault in us I find,
The error of our eye directs our mind.
read more

Ah, poor our sex! this fault in us I find,
The error of our eye directs our mind.
What error leads must error.