Science, my lad, has been built upon many errors; but they are errors which it was good to fall into, for they led to the truth.

The colonists had no library at their disposal; but the engineer was a book which was always at hand, always open at the page which one wanted, a book which answered all their questions, and which they often consulted.

Civilization never recedes; the law of necessity ever forces it onwards.

Great robbers always resemble honest folk. Fellows who have rascally faces have only one course to take, and that is to remain honest; otherwise, they would be arrested off-hand.

What a big book, captain, might be made with all that is known!" "And what a much bigger book still with all that is not known!

However, everything has an end, everything passes away, even the hunger of people who have not eaten

As for difficulties," replied Ferguson, in a serious tone, "they were made to be overcome.