There is no greater hindrance to the progress of thought than an attitude of irritated party-spirit.

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 importance of an individual thinker owes something to chance. For it depends upon the fate of his ideas in the minds of his successors.

Apart from God every activity is merely a passing whiff of insignificance.

The defense of morals is the battle-cry which best rallies stupidity against change.

The 'silly question' is the first intimation of some totally novel development.

Every organism requires an environment of friends, partly to shield it from violent changes, and partly to supply it with its wants.