The part an actor played on stage was once written on a separate roll of paper.

A theoretical system does not merely state facts which have been observed and that logically deducible relations to other facts which have also been observed.

Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer is needed.

Science is intimately integrated with the whole social structure and cultural tradition. They mutually support one other-only in certain types of society can science flourish, and conversely without a continuous and healthy development and application of science such a society cannot function properly.

A scientifically unimportant discovery is one which, however true and however interesting for other reasons, has no consequences for a system of theory with which scientists in that field are concerned.

Sociology should... be thought of as a science of action-of the ultimate common value element in its relations to the other elements of action.

The importance of certain problems concerning the facts will be inherent in the structure of the system.