The discovery which has been pointed to by theory is always one of profound interest and importance, but it is usually the close and crown of a long and fruitful period, whereas the discovery which comes as a puzzle and surprise usually marks a fresh epoch and opens a new chapter in science.

Life must be considered sui generis; it is not a form of energy, nor can it be expressed in terms of something else.

But although life is not energy, any more than it is matter, yet it directs energy and thereby controls arrangements of matter.

Death is not a word to fear, any more than birth is.

Any person without invincible prejudice who had the same experience would come to the same broad conclusion, viz., that things hitherto held impossible do actually occur.

Men of Science would do well to talk plain English. The most abstruse questions can very well be discussed in our own tongue ... I make a particular appeal to the botanists, who appear to delight in troublesome words.

Death is the end of a stage, not the end of the journey. The road stretches on beyond our comprehension.