The best class of scientific mind is the same as the best class of
business mind. The great desideratum in either case is to know how much
evidence is enough to warrant action. It is as unbusiness-like to want
too much evidence before buying or selling as to be content with too
little. The same kind of qualities are wanted in either case. The
difference is that if the business man makes a mistake, he commonly has
to suffer for it, whereas it is rarely that scientific blundering, so
long as it is confined to theory, entails loss on the blunderer. On the
contrary it very often brings him fame, money and a pension. Hence the
business man, if he is a good one, will take greater care not to overdo
or underdo things than the scientific man can reasonably be expected to
take.