Occasionally Quotes (5 quotes)
It is a good principle in science not to believe any “fact”—however well attested—until it fits into some accepted frame of reference. Occasionally, of course, an observation can shatter the frame and force the construction of a new one, but that is extremely rare. Galileos and Einsteins seldom appear more than once per century, which is just as well for the equanimity of mankind.
In Opening of Chap 14, 'Search', 2061: Odyssey Three (1987, 1989), 62.
Laws and institutions are constantly tending to gravitate. Like clocks, they must be occasionally cleansed, and wound up, and set to true time.
In Life Thoughts (1860), 80.
Much of the work we do as scientists involves filling in the details about matters that are basically understood already, or applying standard techniques to new specific cases. But occasionally there is a question that offers an opportunity for a really major discovery.
In Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Crater of Doom (1997), 42.
Occasionally and frequently the exercise of the judgment ought to end in absolute reservation. It may be very distasteful, and great fatigue, to suspend a conclusion; but as we are not infallible, so we ought to be cautious; we shall eventually find our advantage, for the man who rests in his position is not so far from right as he who, proceeding in a wrong direction, is ever increasing his distance.
Lecture at the Royal Institution, 'Observations on the Education of the Judgment'. Collected in Edward Livingston Youmans (ed)., Modern Culture (1867), 219.
Occasionally he stumbled over the truth but he always picked himself up and hurried on as if nothing had happened.
As given in 'Picturesque Speech', Reader’s Digest (April 1942), 40, 92. Churchill was describing his political adversary Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, according to an “ear-witness”, estimated as said “around 1936”, printed in Kay Halle, Irrepressible Churchill: A Treasury of Winston Churchill's Wit (1966), 133; therein given as: “Occasionally he stumbled over the truth, but hastily picked himself up and hurried on as if nothing had happened.” Also seen variously misquoted for example, such as: “man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, walk over or around it, and carry on.” There is a full discussion on the quoteinvestigator.com website. [Note: the date estimate may have been inferred from Baldwin’s 1935-1937 term in office. —Webmaster.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
