Without any doubt, the regularity which astronomy shows us in the movements of the comets takes place in all phenomena. The trajectory of a simple molecule of air or vapour is regulated in a manner as certain as that of the planetary orbits; the only difference between them is that which is contributed by our ignorance. Probability is relative in part to this ignorance, and in part to our knowledge.
Pierre-Simon LaplaceI have lived long enough to know what I did not at one time believe--that no society can be upheld in happiness and honor without the sentiment of religion.
Pierre-Simon LaplaceWe are so far from knowing all the forces of nature and their various modes of action that it would be unworthy of the philosopher to deny phenomena simply because they are inexplicable at the present state of our knowledge. The more difficult it is to acknowledge their existence, the greater the care with which we must study these phenomena.
Pierre-Simon LaplaceSuch is the advantage of a well constructed language that its simplified notation often becomes the source of profound theories.
Pierre-Simon Laplace