The laws of biology are written in the language of diversity.

The variety of genes on the planet in viruses exceeds, or is likely to exceed, that in all of the rest of life combined.

Hands-on experience at the critical time, not systematic knowledge, is what counts in the making of a naturalist. Better to be an untutored savage for a while, not to know the names or anatomical detail. Better to spend stretches of time just searching and dreaming.

Not all ants use violence to dominate their world, some use more subtle methods.

The cutting of primeval forest and other disasters, fueled by the demands of growing human populations, are the overriding threat to biological diversity everywhere.

Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius.

Biological diversity is the key to the maintenance of the world as we know it... Eliminate one species, and another increases to take its place. Eliminate a great many species, and the local ecosystem starts to decay.