Charles Babbage quotes

Charles Babbage was an English mathematician, philosopher, and inventor, often called the "father of the computer." His pioneering work on mechanical calculating machines laid the foundation for modern computing. He is remembered for designing the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, which anticipated many features of today’s computers. Here are 72 of his quotes:

Errors using inadequate data are much less than those using no data at all. (Charles Babbage)
There is nothing in the nature of a miracle that should render it incredible:;: its credibility depends upon the nature of the evidence by which it is supported. An event of extreme probability will not necessarily command our belief unless upon a sufficiency of proof; and so an event which we may regard as highly improbable may command our belief if it is sustained by sufficient evidence. So that the credibility or incredibility of an event does not rest upon the nature of the event itself, but depends upon the nature and sufficiency of the proof which sustains it. View quote
Charles Babbage
If we define a miracle as an effect of which the cause is unknown to us, then we make our ignorance the source of miracles! And the universe itself would be a standing miracle. A miracle might be perhaps defined more exactly as an effect which is not the consequence or effect of any known laws of nature. View quote
Charles Babbage
At each increase of knowledge, as well as on the contrivance of every new tool, human labour becomes abridged. View quote
Charles Babbage
The economy of human time is the next advantage of machinery in manufactures. View quote
Charles Babbage
A tool is usually more simple than a machine; it is generally used with the hand, whilst a machine is frequently moved by animal or steam power. View quote
Charles Babbage
The successful construction of all machinery depends on the perfection of the tools employed; and whoever is a master in the arts of tool-making possesses the key to the construction of all machines... The contrivance and construction of tools must therefore ever stand at the head of the industrial arts. View quote
Charles Babbage
The errors which arise from the absence of facts are far more numerous and more durable than those which result from unsound reasoning respecting true data. View quote
Charles Babbage
Miracles may be, for anything we know to the contrary, phenomena of a higher order of God's laws, superior to, and, under certain conditions, controlling the inferior order known to us as the ordinary laws of nature. View quote
Charles Babbage
A powerful attraction exists, therefore, to the promotion of a study and of duties of all others engrossing the time most completely, and which is less benefited than most others by any acquaintance with science. View quote
Charles Babbage
It is difficult to estimate the misery inflicted upon thousands of persons, and the absolute pecuniary penalty imposed upon multitudes of intellectual workers by the loss of their time, destroyed by organ-grinders and other similar nuisances. (Charles Babbage)
The triumph of the industrial arts will advance the cause of civilization more rapidly than its warmest advocates could have hoped, and contribute to the permanent prosperity and strength of the country far more than the most splendid victories of successful war. View quote
Charles Babbage
The true value of the Christian religion rests, not upon speculative views of the Creator, which must necessarily be different in each individual, according to the extent of the knowledge of the finite being, who employs his own feeble powers in contemplating the infinite: but it rests upon those doctrines of kindness and benevolence which that religion claims and enforces, not merely in favour of man himself but of every creature susceptible of pain or of happiness. View quote
Charles Babbage
The fatigue produced on the muscles of the human frame does not altogether depend on the actual force employed in each effort, but partly on the frequency with which it is exerted. View quote
Charles Babbage
The Church has been reproached with endeavouring to appropriate to itself all those professorships in our Universities which are connected with science: it is however certain that the larger portion of these ill-remunerated offices have been filled by clergymen. View quote
Charles Babbage
Mr. Herschel ... brought with him the calculations of the computers, and we commenced the tedious process of verification. After a time many discrepancies occurred, and at one point these discordances were so numerous that I exclaimed, "I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam," to which Herschel replied, "It is quite possible." View quote
Charles Babbage
On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question. View quote
Charles Babbage
Perhaps it would be better for science, that all criticism should be avowed. View quote
Charles Babbage
It will be readily admitted, that a degree conferred by an university, ought to be a pledge to the public that he who holds it possesses a certain quantity of knowledge. View quote
Charles Babbage
Telegraphs are machines for conveying information over extensive lines with great rapidity. View quote
Charles Babbage
In mathematics we have long since drawn the rein, and given over a hopeless race. (Charles Babbage)
In turning from the smaller instruments in frequent use to the larger and more important machines, the economy arising from the increase of velocity becomes more striking. View quote
Charles Babbage
The possessors of wealth can scarcely be indifferent to processes which, nearly or remotely have been the fertile source of their possessions. View quote
Charles Babbage
The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person. View quote
Charles Babbage
Another mode of accumulating power arises from lifting a weight and then allowing it to fall. View quote
Charles Babbage