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Good Writing



The following is one of the most beautiful passages in the physics
literature. At least it seems so to me.

"Classical thermodynamics is an admirable theory, unpretentious and
consoling to common sense. The quantities with which it deals lie in the
scale of ordinary measurement, and the laws on which it is based are
verified in commonplace experience. As a logical system it is marvellous
in the economy of its means. Its concepts and principles are never
superfluous, its limits are clearly stated, and within these limits it is,
humany speaking, perfect, with nothing left out and nothing left over."

Richard T. Cox, "Statistical Mechanics of Irreversible Change", The Johns
Hopkins Press, 1955

Any other candidates? JSM