No joy in nature is so sublimely affecting as the joy of a mother at the good fortune of a child.

I was lucky because logarithmic plots are a device of the devil.

Most loss of life and property has been due to the collapse of antiquated and unsafe structures, mostly of brick and other masonry. ... There is progress of California toward building new construction according to earthquake-resistant design. We would have less reason to ask for earthquake prediction if this was universal.

It is a common remark that men talk most who think least; just as frogs cease their quacking when a light is brought to the water-side.

Only fools, liars, and charlatans predict earthquakes

I have a sense of humor; but over the years that sense has developed one blind spot. I can no longer laugh at ignorance or stupidity. Those are our chief enemies, and it is dangerous to make fun of them.

The usual designation of the magnitude scale to my name does less than justice to the great part that Dr. Gutenberg played in extending the scale to apply to earthquakes in all parts of the world.