![If alpha [the fine-structure constant] were bigger than it really is, we should not be able to distinguish matter from ether [the vacuum, nothingness], and our task to disentangle the natural laws would be hopelessly difficult. The fact however that alpha has just its value 1/137 is certainly no chance but itself a law of nature. It is clear that the explanation of this number must be the central problem of natural philosophy.](/assets/img/quote-photos/if-alpha-the-fine-structure-constant-were-bigger-than-it-really-is-we-should-n.jpg)
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philosophy race support
I am not interested in the support of anybody who stands for any form of prejudice as to anybody's race or religion. . . . I have no place in my philosophy for such beliefs. Wendell Willkie
philosophy serenity philosopher
The great critic … must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things. W. Somerset Maugham
philosophy easy
It's easy to confuse a woman for a philosophy Zadie Smith
philosophy priorities substance
Philosophy is the science of estimating values. The superiority of any state or substance over another is determined by philosophy. By assigning a position of primary importance to what remains when all that is secondary has been removed, philosophy thus becomes the true index of priority or emphasis in the realm of speculative thought. Manly Hall
philosophy guiding-principles often-is
The task of the political philosopher can only be to influence public opinion, not to organize people for action. He will do so effectively only if he is not concerned with what is now politically possible but consistently defends the "general principles which are always the same." In this sense I doubt whether there can be such a thing as a conservative political philosophy. Conservatism may often be a useful practical maxim, but it does not give us any guiding principles which can influence long-range developments. Friedrich August von Hayek
philosophy want sound
Sometimes, in doing philosophy, one just wants to utter an inarticulate sound. Ludwig Wittgenstein
philosophy irritation long
Philosophy hasn't made any progress? - If somebody scratches the spot where he has an itch, do we have to see some progress? Isn't genuine scratching otherwise, or genuine itching itching? And can't this reaction to an irritation continue in the same way for a long time before a cure for the itching is discovered?
philosophy doors trying
Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open.
philosophy tasks analysis
The sole remaining task for philosophy is the analysis of language.
law justice mystery
A good parson once said that where mystery begins religion ends. Cannot I say, as truly at least, of human laws, that where mystery begins justice ends? Edmund Burke
lawyers neither nor took
took place in a proceeding where neither my lawyers nor I ever appeared. Michael Jackson
law mind bears
You must bear in mind that each law is circumstantial. It does depend on the circumstances. Robert Greene
law important execution
The execution of the laws is more important than the making of them. Thomas Jefferson
law judging safety
As, for the safety of society, we commit honest maniacs to Bedlam, so judges should be withdrawn from their bench, whose erroneous biases are leading us to dissolution. It may indeed injure them in fame or in fortune; but it saves the republic, which is the first and supreme law.
law president guilt
It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.
law united-states void
[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void and of no force.
law practice public-opinion
If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, [then and only then will truth]prevail over fanaticism.
law common-sense foundation
Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their construction.
numbers members stupidest
To assess the intelligence of a committee, divide the IQ of its stupidest member by the number of members. Robert A. Heinlein
numbers diversity goal
A lot of companies make diversity a part of the performance goals against which an executive gets paid. Just as you have to make a certain sales number, you have to make a diversity number to get your bonus. Vernon Jordan
numbers political way
You can register a political objection in a number of ways. Nicholson Baker
numbers giving done
Why do photographers start giving numbers to their prints? It’s absurd. What do you do when the 20th print has been done? Do you swallow the negative? Do you shoot yourself? It’s the gimmick of money. Henri Cartier-Bresson
numbers donkey score
It takes a certain type of person to register your 'Donkey Kong' score. So I'm just number 29 in registered Donkey Kong scores. Will Forte
numbers illness famous-boxer
God gave me this illness to remind me that I'm not Number One; He is. Muhammad Ali
numbers giving episodes
There was so much talk about the movie and we thought, "Wouldn't it be great to still do the movie, but to give everybody this thing they didn't see coming?" Even with the number of episodes, it was reported that there was going to be 10 episodes, and then there was talk about adding more. Mitchell Hurwitz
numbers identity culture
There are a host of ethnic minorities in China, but they often have a weak sense of identity and are relatively small in total number. History has taught the Han that other groups will and should ultimately be absorbed and assimilated as Han. There is a belief that the Han enjoy a superior and far more advanced culture. Martin Jacques
numbers want dignity
I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life's blueprint. Number one...should be a deep belief in your own dignity. Your worth and your own somebodiness... Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance. Martin Luther King, Jr.