"The Circle is a Geometrical Line, not because it may be express'd by an Æquation, but because its Description is a Postulate. It is not the Simplicity of the Æquation, but the Easiness of the Description, which is to determine the Choice of our Lines for the Construction of Problems. For the Æquation that expresses a Parabola, is more simple than That that expresses a Circle, and yet the Circle, by reason of its more simple Construction, is admitted before it. The Circle and the Conick Sections, if you regard the Dimension of the Æquations, are of the fame Order, and yet the Circle is not number'd with them in the Construction of Problems, but by reason of its simple Description, is depressed to a lower Order, viz. that of a right Line; so that it is not improper to express that by a Circle that may be expressed by a right Line. But it is a Fault to construct that by the Conick Sections which may be constructed by a Circle. Either therefore you must take your Law and Rule from the Dimensions of Æquations as observ'd in a Circle, and so take away the Distinction between Plane and Solid Problems; or else you must grant, that that Law is not so strictly to be observ'd in Lines of superior Kinds, but that some, by reason of their more simple Description, may be preferr'd to others of the same Order, and may be number'd with Lines of inferior Orders in the Construction of Problems."
React to this quote
More by Isaac Newton
See allResonant Thoughts
"As there are a very great variety of religious sects in the world , it is particularly recommended, as a means of uniting the inhabitants of the village into one family, that while each faithfully adh…"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"It was still the custom of the countryside to build with local materials produced as close to the selected …"
— Flora Thompson"There are two insults which no human being will endure: The assertion that he hasn't a sense of humor, and …"
— Sinclair Lewis"Transhumanists are building the Tower of Babel not to challenge God but to better understand the universe a…"
— Newton Lee"There is another and very important ground for standardization and that is the desirability of having parts…"
— Dexter S. Kimball"Man is a paradoxical being-the constant glory and scandal of this world."
— Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan"The reason I keep mentioning God is because I believe in God. A lot of people are surprised by that, what w…"
— Russell Brand
Related Thinkers
Related Topics
Deep Dives
- Leonardo da Vinci on philosophy
- Blaise Pascal on philosophy
- Nicholas of Cusa on philosophy
- Kenneth Arrow on philosophy
- Charles Babbage on philosophy
- John Wallis on philosophy
- William A. Dembski on philosophy
- Leonardo da Vinci on life
- Leonardo da Vinci on nature
- Leonardo da Vinci on art
- knowledge & Beauty
- knowledge & Change
