It is a fatal fault to reason whilst observing, though so necessary beforehand and so useful afterwards.

I often had to run very quickly to be on time, and from being a fleet runner was generally successful; but when in doubt I prayed earnestly to God to help me, and I well remember that I attributed my success to the prayers and not to my quick running, and marvelled how generally I was aided.

... not one living species will transmit its unaltered likeness to a distant futurity.

The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an improved theory, is it then a science or faith?

And hail their queen, fair regent of the night.

From my early youth I have had the strongest desire to understand or explain whatever I observed. ... To group all facts under some general laws.

Many kinds of monkeys have a strong taste for tea, coffee and spirituous liqueurs.