All science requires mathematics. The knowledge of mathematical things is almost innate in us. This is the easiest of sciences, a fact which is obvious in that no one's brain rejects it; for laymen and people who are utterly illiterate know how to count and reckon.

The quote by Roger Bacon emphasizes the essential role of mathematics in all branches of science. Bacon argues that the knowledge of mathematical things is almost instinctive in humans, forming a foundation for understanding the natural world. By highlighting mathematics as integral to science, he points out that precise reasoning and calculation are necessary tools for discovering and explaining natural phenomena.

Bacon also observes that mathematics is accessible to everyone, even those who are laymen or illiterate. He underscores that basic skills like counting and reckoning are universally understood, suggesting that mathematical reasoning is both natural and intuitive. This positions mathematics as the most fundamental and approachable of all sciences, forming the building blocks for more complex knowledge.

The quote illustrates Bacon’s broader philosophy that learning and knowledge should be grounded in observation, logic, and rational analysis. For him, mathematics is not merely an abstract study but a practical and necessary means of understanding the world. Its universality demonstrates that scientific reasoning is accessible to all who apply attention and thought.

Originating from Roger Bacon, a 13th-century English philosopher and early advocate of empirical study, this quote reflects his emphasis on combining mathematical reasoning with experimental inquiry. Bacon’s insight underscores the timeless idea that mathematics is not only foundational to science but also inherently comprehensible to the human mind.