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With respect to the function of the calciferous glands, it is probable that they primarily serve as organs of excretion, and secondarily as an aid to digestion.
Charles Darwin -
The western nations of Europe, who now so immeasurably surpass their former savage progenitors, and stand at the summit of civilisation, owe little or none of their superiority to direct inheritance from the old Greeks, though they owe much to the written works of that wonderful people.
Charles Darwin
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Great is the power of steady misrepresentation; but the history of science shows that fortunately this power does not long endure.
Charles Darwin -
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 out no such case.
Charles Darwin -
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 … Our faculties are more fitted to recognize the wonderful structure of a beetle than a Universe.
Charles Darwin -
There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.
Charles Darwin -
Physiological experiment on animals is justifiable for real investigation; but not for mere damnable and detestable curiosity.
Charles Darwin -
One general law, leading to the advancement of all organic beings, namely, multiply, vary, let the strongest live and the weakest die.
Charles Darwin
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I love fools' experiments. I am always making them.
Charles Darwin -
Earth-worms abound in England in many different stations. Their castings may be seen in extraordinary numbers on commons and chalk-downs, so as almost to cover the whole surface, where the soil is poor and the grass short and thin.
Charles Darwin -
… cell of a tentacle, showing the various forms successively assumed by the aggregated masses of protoplasm.
Charles Darwin -
I am almost convinced (quite contrary to opinion I started with) that species are not (it is like confessing a murder) immutable.
Charles Darwin -
False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often long endure; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, as every one takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness; and when this is done, one path towards error is closed and the road to truth is often at the same time opened.
Charles Darwin -
Most of the more complex emotions are common to the higher animals and ourselves. Every one has seen how jealous a dog is of his master's affection, if lavished on any other creature; and I have observed the same fact with monkeys. This shews that animals not only love, but have the desire to be loved.
Charles Darwin
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I cannot pretend to throw the least light on such abstruse problems. The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic.
Charles Darwin -
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 feelings of wonder, astonishment, and devotion, which fill and elevate the mind.
Charles Darwin -
It seems to me absurd to doubt that a man may be an ardent Theist & an evolutionist. … I have never been an atheist in the sense of denying the existence of a God.
Charles Darwin -
I should premise that I use the term Struggle for Existence in a large and metaphorical sense, including dependence of one being on another, and including (which is more important) not only the life of the individual, but success in leaving progeny.
Charles Darwin -
We will now discuss in a little more detail the struggle for existence.
Charles Darwin -
Alas! A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections - a mere heart of stone.
Charles Darwin
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The subject may appear an insignificant one, but we shall see that it possesses some interest; and the maxim 'de minimis lex non curat,' does not apply to science.
Charles Darwin -
I have deeply regretted that I did not proceed far enough at least to understand something of the great leading principles of mathematics, for men thus endowed seem to have an extra sense.
Charles Darwin -
As for a future life, every man must judge for himself between conflicting vague probabilities.
Charles Darwin -
The highest stage in moral culture at which we can arrive, is when we recognise that we ought to control our thoughts.
Charles Darwin