The Scientific Outlook (1931), Part I, chapter II, "Characteristics of the Scientific Method"

All exact science is dominated by the idea of approximation. When a man tells you that he knows the exact truth about anything, you are safe in inferring that he is an inexact man.

— Bertrand Russell

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "All exact science is dominated by the idea of approximation. When a man tells you that he knows the exact truth about anything, you are safe in inferring that he is an inexact man." in the context of "The Scientific Outlook (1931), Part I, chapter II, "Characteristics of the Scientific Method"" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Bertrand Russell" (Quotes, 1930s) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed February 08, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Bertrand Russell

About Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell (May 18, 1872 – February 2, 1970) was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, and social critic. In 1950, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature.