Periods of tranquillity are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up.

Faith in the supernatural is a desperate wager made by man at the lowest ebb of his fortunes.

I like to walk about among the beautiful things that adorn the world; but private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because they would take away my liberty.

The quality of wit inspires more admiration than confidence

It is true that I am carrying out various methods of treatment recommended by doctors and dentists in the hope of dying in the remote future in perfect health.

Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common sense rounded out and minutely articulated.

Photography at first was asked to do nothing but embalm our best smiles for the benefit of our friends and our best clothes for the amusement of posterity. Neither thing lasts, and photography came as a welcome salve to keep those precious, if slightly ridiculous, things a little longer in the world.