The earliest and most primitive known members of every order already have the basic ordinal characters, and in no case is an approximately continuous sequence from one order to another known. In most cases the break is so sharp and the gap so large that the origin of the order is speculative and much disputed.

It is inherent in any definition of science that statements that cannot be checked by observation are not really saying anything or at least they are not science.

Recognition of this kinship with the rest of the universe is necessary for understanding him, but his essential nature is defined by qualities found nowhere else, not by those he has in common with apes, fishes, trees, fire, or anything other than himself.

The search for historical laws is, I maintain, mistaken in principle.

It remains true, as every paleontologist knows, that most new species, genera, and families, and that nearly all categories above the level of families, appear in the record suddenly and are not led up to by known, gradual completely continuous transitional sequences.

I have a debt, a loyalty to the museum; the best place for me to do what I wanted to do.

I don't know where to put whales. I'm sticking them here, but I don't have any reason for it.