Vermin Quotes (3 quotes)
![Walter Baade quote: [Asteroids are] the vermin of the skies.[Asteroids can block objects of interest on astronomical photographs](https://todayinsci.com/B/Baade_Walter/BaadeWalter-Vermin500x250px.jpg)
[Asteroids are] the vermin of the skies.
Asteroids used to be an irritation because they distracted from, or obscured, objects of interest on astronomical photographs. The nickname, used as late as the 1970s-1980s, fell out of use as asteroids themselves were closely studied. As quoted in Fred L. Whipple, Earth, Moon, and Planets (1968), 43.
The superstition that the hounds of truth will rout the vermin of error seems, like a fragment of Victorian lace, quaint, but too brittle to be lifted out of the showcase.
In National Review (16 Jan 1962), 12, 21.
The Vermin only teaze and pinch
Their foes superior by an Inch.
So, Naturalists observe, a Flea
Hath smaller Fleas that on him prey,
And these have smaller Fleas to bite 'em.
And so proceed ad infinitum.
Their foes superior by an Inch.
So, Naturalists observe, a Flea
Hath smaller Fleas that on him prey,
And these have smaller Fleas to bite 'em.
And so proceed ad infinitum.
On Poetry: A Rhapsody (1735), lines 339-44.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
