Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert t….

The presence of a body of well-instructed men, who have not to labor for their daily bread, is important to a degree which cannot be overestimated; a….

I have been speculating last night what makes a man a discoverer of undiscovered things. As far as I can conjecture the art consists in habitually se….

A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth..

I am actually weary of telling people that I do not pretend to adduce [direct] evidence of one species changing into another, but I believe that this….

The more efficient causes of progress seem to consist of a good education during youth whilst the brain is impressible, and of a high standard of exc….

Seeing this gradation and diversity of structure in one small, intimately related group of birds, one might really fancy that from an original paucit….

I see no good reason why the views given this volume [The Origin of Species] should shock the religious feelings of any one. It is satisfactory, as s….

The more I study nature, the more I become impressed with ever-increasing force with the conclusion, that the contrivances and beautiful adaptations ….

[Herschel and Humboldt] stirred up in me a burning zeal to add even the most humble contribution to the noble structure of Natural Science. No one or….

The main conclusion arrived at in this work, namely that man is descended from some lowly-organised form, will, I regret to think, be highly distaste….

After my return to England it appeared to me that by following the example of Lyell in Geology, and by collecting all facts which bore in any way on ….

If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin..

I cannot anyhow be contented to view this wonderful universe, and especially the nature of man, and to conclude that everything is the result of brut….

Looking to future generations, there is no cause to fear that the social instincts will grow weaker... the social instincts, - the prime principle of….

It is easy to specify the individual objects of admiration in these grand scenes; but it is not possible to give an adequate idea of the higher feeli….

In the distant future I see open fields for far more important researches. Psychology will be based on a new foundation, that of the necessary acquir….

Although much remains obscure, and will long remain obscure, ... I am convinced that Natural Selection has been the main but not exclusive means of m….

Life is nearly over with me. I have taken no pains about my style of writing..

About weak points [of the Origin] I agree. The eye to this day gives me a cold shudder, but when I think of the fine known gradations, my reason tell….

I long to set foot where no man has trod before..