There is a pinciple in the heart of music which has yet to be discovered.

The stars are the land-marks of the universe.

Speculations apparently the most unprofitable have almost invariably been those from which the greatest practical applications have emanated.

Music and dancing (the more the pity) have become so closely associated with ideas of riot and debauchery among the less cultivated classes, that a taste for them, for their own sakes, can hardly be said to exist, and before they can be recommended as innocent or safe amusements, a very great change of ideas must take place.

The besetting evil of our age is the temptation to squander and dilute thought on a thousand different lines of inquiry.

Humans always have fear of an unknown situation -- this is normal. The important thing is what we do about it. If fear is permitted to become a paralyzing thing that interferes with proper action, then it is harmful. The best antidote to fear is to know all we can about a situation.

To the natural philosopher, there is no natural object unimportant or trifling. From the least of Nature's works he may learn the greatest lessons.