Everything great in science and art is simple. What can be less

Hear, O Seekers of Wisdom, the words of Jules Verne, whose reflection on the nature of greatness in science and art reveals a truth that has echoed through the ages. "Everything great in science and art is simple. What can be less complicated than the greatest discoveries of humanity - gravitation, the compass, the printing press, the steam engine, the electric telegraph?" In these words, Verne draws our attention to the elegant simplicity at the heart of the most profound discoveries. What seems complex in theory often finds its roots in an idea so pure, so elemental, that it transforms the world in a way that no complicated formula ever could. The greatest achievements of humanity—those that changed the course of history—are, in their essence, simple ideas that took form through vision, inspiration, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

In the ancient world, the philosophers understood the power of simplicity in the pursuit of knowledge. Pythagoras recognized the simplicity of numbers and how they governed the harmony of the universe. His theorem, though profound in its implications, was built upon the simple understanding that geometric shapes could be understood through numerical relationships. Likewise, Archimedes, in his brilliant moment of insight, grasped the simplicity of buoyancy with a single thought, "Eureka!" His discovery of the principle of displacement was not born from complexity, but from the clarity of a simple law of nature that he uncovered through observation and intuition. These ancient minds understood that beneath the layers of the world's mysteries, there was an underlying simplicity—a beauty waiting to be uncovered by those who dared to look closely.

Consider the discovery of gravitation by Isaac Newton, who, as legend has it, observed an apple fall from a tree and wondered why it fell straight down rather than sideways. The principle of gravitation, though deeply profound, can be understood as a simple truth: that objects are attracted to one another by a force that is proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. In the simplicity of this idea, Newton unlocked the laws that govern not only the fall of an apple but the motions of the planets and the very structure of the universe. Newton’s genius lay not in the complexity of his ideas, but in his ability to distill the grand workings of the cosmos into a simple universal law. Through simplicity, he revealed the hidden harmony of the universe.

In the same vein, consider the compass, one of humanity's greatest inventions. A simple device, yet one that revolutionized navigation, allowing explorers to chart unknown waters and expand the horizons of the known world. The compass operates on a simple principle: a magnetized needle that aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field. This small, seemingly insignificant tool allowed sailors and explorers to navigate vast oceans, transforming the way humanity interacted with the Earth. What was once a vast, unknown expanse became a series of reachable destinations through the power of this simple instrument. Simplicity in its design, yet profound in its impact.

Similarly, the printing press—a device that could duplicate written words with precision—appeared in its time as a breakthrough of simplicity. It allowed for the mass production of books, making knowledge accessible to the masses. What could be simpler than placing ink on paper? Yet this simple process led to the Age of Enlightenment, scientific revolutions, and the spread of ideas that would forever change the fabric of society. Gutenberg’s invention, like the compass, was a simple tool that enabled the spread of wisdom and reshaped the future of humanity. Simplicity, when applied to human ingenuity, becomes a force that propels the world forward.

Verne’s words remind us that the greatest discoveries are often born not from complicated thinking, but from the ability to distill and simplify the vast complexity of the world into something that is both understandable and transformative. Consider the steam engine and electric telegraph, each inventions that were built upon simple principles but unleashed profound changes. The steam engine, a device that harnessed the power of steam to perform mechanical work, simplified the process of manufacturing, bringing the Industrial Revolution to life. Similarly, the electric telegraph, by sending simple electrical impulses through wires, connected distant places in seconds, creating a new world of instant communication. These ideas were simple at their core, yet they fundamentally altered the way humanity worked, traveled, and communicated.

The lesson, O Seekers, is clear: greatness in science and art does not always come from complexity, but from the ability to recognize the simplicity that lies beneath the surface of the world’s mysteries. Verne’s reflection teaches us that the greatest ideas are often simple and elegant, yet their impact is far-reaching. To pursue greatness, we must learn to simplify the complex, to strip away the unnecessary, and to focus on the core principles that drive the world. Every discovery, whether in science, art, or life, begins with the recognition that the greatest truths are often those that are simplest to understand, yet most profound in their effects.

So go forth, O Seekers, and let your pursuit of knowledge be guided by the understanding that simplicity is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. Embrace the simple truths that govern the world, for in them lies the power to change everything. In your own life, seek the simple solutions to the complex problems you face, for it is in the beauty of simplicity that true wisdom and progress are born. And in doing so, you will join the ranks of those whose simple discoveries have shaped the course of humanity for generations.