Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis

“ The first type of studies is more within our power, but does not take us far. The second type may lead us stray, since we do not know enough of the goals of Nature and we can be mistaken about the quantity that is truly the expense of Nature in producing its effects. ”

“ To unify the certainty of our research with its breadth, it is necessary to use both types of study. Let us calculate the motion of bodies, but also consult the plans of the Intelligence that makes them move. ”

“ If we assume, as seems reasonable, that light moves more quickly in air than it does in water, then the bent path taken by the light causes it to move from its departure point to its arrival point in the briefest possible time. ”

“ A blind and deterministic mechanics follows the plans of a perfectly clear and free Intellect. If our spirits were sufficiently vast, we would also see the causes of all physical effects, either by studying the properties of material bodies or by studying what would most suitable for them to do. ”

“ It seems that the ancient philosophers made the first attempts at this sort of science, in looking for metaphysical relationships between numbers and material bodies. When they said that God occupies himself with geometry, they surely meant that He unites in that science the works of His power with the perspectives of His wisdom. ”

“ To broaden our knowledge of the world, we use different methods that rarely lead us to the same truths. Nevertheless, it would be remarkable if certain fundamental truths of Philosophy could be illustrated by geometric arguments or algebraic proofs. ”

“ Finally, the third class consists of explanations derived from purely metaphysical principles, i.e., from laws to which Nature herself seems subjugated by a superior Intelligence that always produces an effect in the simplest possible manner. ”