One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man.

What makes people happy is activity; changing evil itself into good by power, working in a God like manner.

Normally, the sciences distance themselves from life and the return to it via a detour.

The most damaging prejudice consists of banning any kind of investigation of nature.

This being busied with thoughts of immortality is for the noble classes and especially for women with nothing to do. A solid person, though, someone who already intends to be something worthy here, and who therefore has to strive daily, has to struggle and work, gives the world to come a rest.

The works of Lavoisier and his associates operated upon many of us at that time like the Sun's rising after a night of moonshine: but Chemistry is now betrothed to the Mathematics, and is in consequence grown somewhat shy of her former admirers.

No one feels himself easy in a garden which does not look like the open country.