A theory can be proved by experiment; but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Every experiment, by multitudes or by individuals, that has a sensual and selfish aim, will fail.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If your result needs a statistician then you should design a better experiment.
—Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937) New Zealand-born British Physicist
No experiment is ever a complete failure. It can always be used as a bad example.
—Paul Dickson (b.1939) American Writer
There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes
—Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) American Inventor, Philosopher
Faith begins as an experiment and ends as an experience.
—William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English Anglican Clergyman, Priest, Mystic
The experimenter who does not know what he is looking for will not understand what he finds.
—Claude Bernard (1813–78) French Physiologist
America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
There are no failures—just experiences and your reactions to them.
—Tom Krause (1934–2013) Finnish Opera Singer
America – a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose.
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) 31st American President
When you’re experimenting you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, and you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion.
—Fred Astaire (1899–1987) American Actor, Dancer, Singer
If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.
—Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937) New Zealand-born British Physicist
Happiness is the only sanction of life; where happiness fails, existence remains a mad and lamentable experiment.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Physiological experiment on animals is justifiable for real investigation, but not for mere damnable and detestable curiosity.
—Charles Darwin (1809–82) English Naturalist
It is inexcusable for scientists to torture animals; let them make their experiments on journalists and politicians.
—Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) Norwegian Playwright
A theory is something nobody believes, except the person who made it. An experiment is something everybody believes, except the person who made it.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist