Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.
Charles DarwinRead
It may be doubted that there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as have these lowly organized creatures.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the significant role of simple organisms in shaping the world's history.
Charles Darwin highlights the importance of seemingly insignificant organisms in the grand narrative of the earth's history. This perspective challenges the notion that only complex and prominent animals have contributed to significant developments, emphasizing that even the simplest forms of life can have profound impacts on ecosystems and geological processes.
Themes
DarwinNatureImportanceOrganismsHistory
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on biodiversity, one might refer to this quote to illustrate the significance of all species.
More from Charles Darwin
All quotes βThe highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
Charles DarwinRead
I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science....It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw[s] & holes as sound parts.
Charles DarwinRead
We cannot fathom the marvelous complexity of an organic being; but on the hypothesis here advanced this complexity is much increased. Each living creature must be looked at as a microcosm--a little universe, formed of a host of self-propagating organisms, inconceivably minute and as numerous as the stars in heaven.
Charles DarwinRead
I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
Charles DarwinRead
we are always slow in admitting any great change of which we do not see the intermediate steps
Charles DarwinRead
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