Lay aside all conceit Learn to read the book of Nature for yourself. Those who have succeeded best have followed for years some slim thread which once in a while has broadened out and disclosed some treasure worth a life-long search.

The facts will eventually test all our theories, and they form, after all, the only impartial jury to which we can appeal.

The time has come when scientific truth must cease to be the property of the few, when it must be woven into the common life of the world.

I cannot afford to waste my time making money

It is the job of prophets and scientists alike to proclaim the glories of God.

You cannot do without one specialty. You must have some base-line to measure the work and attainments of others. For a general view of the subject, study the history of the sciences. Broad knowledge of all Nature has been the possession of no naturalist except Humboldt, and general relations constituted his specialty.

A smattering of everything is worth little. It is a fallacy to suppose that an encyclopaedic knowledge is desirable. The mind is made strong, not through much learning, but by the thorough possession of something.