The total absence of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature.

Error is the price we pay for progress.

In formal logic, a contradiction is the signal of defeat, but in the evolution of real knowledge it marks the first step in progress toward a victory.

Culture is activity of thought, and receptiveness to beauty and humane feeling. Scraps of information have nothing to do with it. A merely well informed man is the most useless bore on God's earth.

Learning is often spoken of as if we are watching the open pages of all the books which we have ever read, and then, when occasion arises, we select the right page to read aloud to the universe.

The guiding motto in the life of every natural philosopher should be, seek simplicity and distrust it.

Speak out in acts; the time for words has passed, and only deeds will suffice.