Hippolyte Taine Quotes

In every department of physical science there is only so much science, properly so-called, as there is mathematics.

Mathematics doesn’t care about those beyond the numbers.

Numbers are the product of counting. Quantities are the product of measurement. This means that numbers can conceivably be accurate because there is a discontinuity between each integer and the next.

The history of art is the history of revivals.

I've always enjoyed mathematics. It is the most precise and concise way of expressing any idea.

Mathematics takes us into the region of absolute necessity, to which not only the actual word, but every possible word, must conform.

I was born at a bad time for Spain, but a really good one for cinema.

Accuracy is paramount in every detail of a work of history. Here's my rule: Ask yourself, 'Did this thing happen?' If the answer is yes, then it's historical. Then ask, 'Did this thing happen precisely this way?' If the answer is yes, then it's history; if the answer is no, not precisely this way, then it's historical drama.

Rigour is to the mathematician what morality is to men.

It may not be art, but it is history.

The history of this country is told by showing people who have contributed to it.

History, it is easily perceived, is a picture-gallery containing a host of copies and very few originals

Art and politics must move closer together. Reflection and action must be equally valid in good men if history is not to take one course and art another.

As one who has taught mathematics at all levels of university instruction, I am well aware of the negative attitude of so many students toward the subject. There are many reasons for this, one of them no doubt being the esoteric, dry way in which we teach the subject. We tend to overwhelm our students with formulas, definitions, theorems, and proofs, but we seldom mention the historical evolution of these facts, leaving the impression that these facts were handed to us, like the Ten Commandments, by some divine authority.

I've always had an interest in story-telling and history and just film and art in general, but particularly when it comes to storytelling, I think the reason why we became involved in film is because we wanted to get some great stories out there.

I'm precise. I think in proportions. I play games with numbers, and I proportionalise.

My introduction to art history was like everybody else's. You see an art history book that has works by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Yes, these things are great. But I don't see a reflection of myself in any of these things I'm looking at.

Mathematicians deal with large numbers sometimes, but never in their income.

Tout ce qu'on invente est vrai, soi-en sure. La poesie est une chose aussi precise que la geometrie.

Mathematics has the inhuman quality of starlight, brilliant and sharp, but cold.

I always like a good math solution to any love problem.

History must always be taken with a grain of salt. It is, after all, not a science but an art.

Mathematics may be compared to a mill of exquisite workmanship, which grinds your stuff to any degree of fineness.

Poetry is a subject as precise as geometry.

Mathematics is an interesting intellectual sport but it should not be allowed to stand in the way of obtaining sensible information about physical processes.