Until politics are a branch of science, we shall do well to regard political and social reforms as experiments rather than short-cuts to the millennium.

Teleology is like a mistress to a biologist: he cannot live without her but he's unwilling to be seen with her in public.

In fact, words are well adapted for description and the arousing of emotion, but for many kinds of precise thought other symbols are much better.

Would I lay down my life to save my brother? No, but I would to save two brothers or eight cousins.

Money can buy a fine dog but it is kindness that makes him wag his tail.

A discussion between Haldane and a friend began to take a predictable turn. The friend said with a sigh, 'It's no use going on. I know what you will say next, and I know what you will do next.' The distinguished scientist promptly sat down on the floor, turned two back somersaults, and returned to his seat. 'There,' he said with a smile. 'That's to prove that you're not always right.'

The advance of scientific knowledge does not seem to make either our universe or our inner life in it any less mysterious.