Charles Darwin Quotes

A collection of quotes by Charles Darwin.

Charles Darwin, born on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England, was an English naturalist and geologist. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the theory of evolution through natural selection. Darwin's journey aboard HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836 provided him with crucial insights into the diversity of species, leading to the publication of his revolutionary book, "On the Origin of Species," in 1859.

During the voyage, Darwin meticulously documented his observations and collected specimens from various regions around the world. These experiences shaped his understanding of how species evolved and adapted to their environments. Darwin proposed that traits enabling individuals to survive and reproduce would be passed on to future generations, gradually leading to the formation of new species.

Throughout his career, Darwin faced significant controversy and opposition due to the implications of his theory, which challenged prevailing religious and scientific beliefs. Nevertheless, his work laid the foundation for modern biology and had a profound impact on fields such as genetics, ecology, and anthropology.

In addition to his contributions to evolutionary science, Darwin made extensive studies in geology, paleontology, and botany. He published several other notable works, including "The Descent of Man" and "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals." Charles Darwin passed away on April 19, 1882, leaving behind a legacy of scientific thought that continues to shape our understanding of the natural world.

A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered

A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.

A man who dares to waste one hour of his life has not discov

A man who dares to waste one hour of his life has not discovered the value of life.

Man is descended from a hairy, tailed quadruped, probably ar

Man is descended from a hairy, tailed quadruped, probably arboreal in its habits.

Habits Man Hairy Descended

Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the un

Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the universal struggle for life, or more difficult--at least I have found it so--than constantly to bear this conclusion in mind.

Science Evolution

The limit of man s knowledge in any subject possesses a high

The limit of man s knowledge in any subject possesses a high interest which is perhaps increased by its close neighbourhood to the realms of imagination.

Religion Science Skepticism

A grand and almost untrodden field of inquiry will be opened

A grand and almost untrodden field of inquiry will be opened, on the causes and laws of variation, on correlation of growth, on the effects of use and disuse, on the direct actions of external conditions, and so forth.

Life Science Evolution Study Biology Inquiry

If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed,

If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down. But I can find no such case.

Science Evolution Biology Darwinism Macro Evolution Macroevolution

In the survival of favoured individuals and races, during th

In the survival of favoured individuals and races, during the constantly-recurring struggle for existence, we see a powerful and ever-acting form of selection.

Life

One day, on tearing off some old bark, I saw two rare beetle

One day, on tearing off some old bark, I saw two rare beetles, and seized one in each hand. Then I saw a third and new kind, which I could not bear to lose, so I popped the one which I held in my right hand into my mouth. Alas! it ejected some intensely acrid fluid, which burnt my tongue so that I was forced to spit the beetle out, which was lost, as was the third one.

Humor Funny Science Darwin

A grain in the balance will determine which individual shall

A grain in the balance will determine which individual shall live and which shall die - which variety or species shall increase in number, and which shall decrease, or finally become extinct.

Science Evolution Biology

In conclusion, it appears that nothing can be more improving

In conclusion, it appears that nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist, than a journey in distant countries.

Science

We cannot fathom the marvelous complexity of an organic bein

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.

Science Biology Microbiology

It has often and confidently been asserted, that man's origi

It has often and confidently been asserted, that man's origin can never be known: but ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.

Science Man

We are not here concerned with hopes or fears, only with tru

We are not here concerned with hopes or fears, only with truth as far as our reason permits us to discover it.

Truth Reason Fears Hopes

One hand has surely worked throughout the universe.

One hand has surely worked throughout the universe.

Religion Science Evolution

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowle

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.

Science Knowledge

We can see the Divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn'

We can see the Divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn't stop us from wiping it away with a wet sponge. The Divine doesn't disappear; it's transformed into the clean surface.

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor th

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.

Change

An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would nev

An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men.

Men

We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole

We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universe, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.

Nature Religion Science