Intellectual work is an act of creation. It is as if the mental image that is studied over a period of time were to sprout appendages like an amebaโoutgrowths that extend in all directions while avoiding one obstacle after anotherโbefore interdigitating with related ideas.
Santiago Ramon y CajalIntellectual beauty is sufficient unto itself, and only for it rather than for the future good of humanity does the scholar condemn himself to arduous and painful labors.
Santiago Ramon y CajalEven granting that the genius subjected to the test of critical inspection emerges free from all error, we should consider that everything he has discovered in a given domain is almost nothing in comparison with what is left to be discovered.
Santiago Ramon y CajalUnfortunately, nature seems unaware of our intellectual need for convenience and unity, and very often takes delight in complication and diversity.
Santiago Ramon y Cajal