In the most modern theories of physics probability seems to have replaced aether as "the nominative of the verb 'to undulate'."
Arthur EddingtonObservation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in a theory until it has been confirmed by observation. I hope I shall not shock the experimental physicists too much if I add that it is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they have been confirmed by theory.
Arthur EddingtonProbably the simplest hypothesis... is that there may be a slow process of annihilation of matter.
Arthur EddingtonThere was a time when we wanted to be told what an electron is. The question was never answered. No familiar conceptions can be woven around the electron; it belongs to the waiting list.
Arthur Eddington