Michael Faraday

I think chemistry is being frittered away by the hairsplitting of the organic chemists; we have new compounds discovered, which scarcely differ from the known ones and when discovered are valueless-very illustrations perhaps of their refinements in analysis, but very little aiding the progress of true science.

I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds.

It is on record that when a young aspirant asked Faraday the secret of his success as a scientific investigator, he replied, 'The secret is comprised in three words- Work, Finish, Publish.'

When I consider the multitude of associated forces which are diffused through nature - when I think of that calm balancing of their energies which enables those most powerful in themselves, most destructive to the world's creatures and economy, to dwell associated together and be made subservient to the wants of creation, I rise from the contemplation more than ever impressed with the wisdom, the beneficence, and grandeur, beyond our language to express, of the Great Disposer of us all.

Water is to me, I confess, a phenomenon which continually awakens new feelings of wonder as often as I view it.

It is right that we should stand by and act on our principles; but not right to hold them in obstinate blindness, or retain them when proved to be erroneous.

Chemistry is necessarily an experimental science: its conclusions are drawn from data, and its principles supported by evidence from facts.

The world little knows how many of the thoughts and theories which have passed through the mind of a scientific investigator, have been crushed in silence and secrecy by his own severe criticism and adverse examination!

I have far more confidence in the one man who works mentally and bodily at a matter than in the six who merely talk about it.

The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.

Who would not have been laughed at if he had said in 1800 that metals could be extracted from their ores by electricity or that portraits could be drawn by chemistry.

There’s nothing quite as frightening as someone who knows they are right.

Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature.

The important thing is to know how to take all things quietly.

I can at any moment convert my time into money, but I do not require more of the latter than is sufficient for necessary purposes.

But still try, for who knows what is possible?

A man who is certain he is right is almost sure to be wrong.