[History is] the story of the magnificent rear-guard action fought during several thousand years by dogma against curiosity.

Most of us can remember a time when a birthday - especially if it was one's own - brightened the world as if a second sun has risen.

There are some people who want to throw their arms round you simply because it is Christmas; there are other people who want to strangle you simply because it is Christmas.

[History is] the story of the magnificent rear-guard action fought during several thousand years by dogma against curiosity.

When the last Puritan has disappeared from the earth, the man of science will take his place as a killjoy, and we shall be given the same old advice but for different reasons.

Knowledge is power only if man knows what facts not to bother with.

Every man of genius is considerably helped by being dead.