Jacques Ozanam

“{{MacTutor Biography|id=Ozanam}}”

“Ozanam possessed a mild and calm disposition, a cheerful and pleasant temper, an inventive genius, and a generosity almost unparalleled. After marriage, his conduct was irreproachable; and, at the same time that he was sincerely pious, he had a great aversion to disputes about theology.”

“It was the business of the Sorbonne doctors to discuss, of the pope to decide, and of a mathematician to go straight to heaven in a perpendicular line.”

“The Essential Parts of the Simple or Pure Mathematicks are Arithmetick and Geometry, which mutually assist one another, and are independent on any other Sciences, except perhaps on Artificial Logick: But doubtless Natural Logick may be sufficient to a Man of Sense. The other parts are chiefly Physical Subjects explained by the Principles of Arithmetics or Geometry.”

“Mathematicks therefore is a Science which teaches or contemplates whatever is capable of Measure or Number as such. When it relates to Number, it is called Arithmetick; but when to measure, as Length, Breadth, Depth, Degrees of Velocity in Motion, Intenseness or Remissness of Sounds, Augmentation or Diminution of Quality, 6tc. it is called Geometry.”

“By Science is understood a Knowledge acquired by, or founded on clear and self evident Principles, whence it follows that the Mathematicks may truly be stiled such.”

“The Usefulness of the Mathematicks in General, and of some Parts of them in Particular, in the common Affairs of Humane Life, has rendered some competent Knowledge of them very necessary to a great Part of Mankind, and very convenient to all the Rest that are any way conversant beyond the Limits of their own particular callings.”