A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.

My opinion - nay more, my conviction - is that, in the present state of science, as you rightly say, spontaneous generation is a chimera; and it would be impossible for you to contradict me, for my experiments all stand forth to prove that spontaneous generation is a chimera.

To bring one's self to believe in a truth that has just dawned upon one is the first step towards progress; to persuade others is the second.

How do you know that the incessant progress of science will not compel scientists to consider that life has existed during eternity, and not matter?

Messieurs, c'est les microbes qui auront le dernier mot." (Gentlemen, it is the microbes who will have the last word.)

To know how to wonder and question is the first step of the mind toward discovery.

My strength lies solely in my tenacity.