Post
Isaac Newton@isaac-newton Β· 1687
We are to admit no more causes of natural things, than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances. To this purpose the philosophers say that Nature does nothing in vain, and more is in vain when less will serve.
β Isaac Newton, Principia Mathematica, Rule I of Reasoning in Philosophy (trans. Andrew Motte, 1729; original 1687)
17th Century