Humphry Davy Quotes about Science

Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument.

Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument.

Knowledge, Science, Advancement

Sir Humphry Davy (1812). “Elements of Chemical Philosophy”, p.54

Every discovery opens a new field for investigation of facts, shows us the imperfection of our theories. It has justly been said, that the greater the circle of light, the greater the boundary of darkness by which it is surrounded.

Humphry Davy

Science, Light, Discovery

Sir Humphry Davy (1840). “The Collected Works of Sir Humphry Davy ...: Salmonia, or Days of fly-fishing. Consolation in travel, or The last days of a philosopher”, p.362

Oh, most magnificent and noble Nature! Have I not worshipped thee with such a love As never mortal man before displayed? Adored thee in thy majesty of visible creation, And searched into thy hidden and mysterious ways As Poet, as Philosopher, as Sage?

Humphry Davy

Science, Men, Mysterious Ways

Sir Humphry Davy, John DAVY (M.D., F.R.S.) (1858). “Fragmentary Remains, Literary and Scientific, of Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. ... With a sketch of his life, and selections from his correspondence. Edited by his brother John Davy”, p.14

And by the influence of heat, light, and electrical powers, there is a constant series of changes; matter assumes new forms, the destruction of one order of beings tends to the conservation of another; solution and consolidation, decay and renovation, are connected; and whilst the parts of the system continue in a state of fluctuation and change, the order and harmony of the whole remain unalterable.

Humphry Davy

Change, Science, Animal

"The Collected Works: Discourses delivered before the Royal Society".

Gay-Lussac was quick, lively, ingenious and profound, with great activity of mind and great facility of manipulation. I should place him at the head of all the living chemists in France.

Humphry Davy

Gay, Science, Profound

Humphry Davy (1839). “The Collected Works: Memoirs of the life of Sir Humphry Davy”, p.167

The beginning of civilisation is the discovery of some useful arts, by which men acquire property, comforts, or luxuries. The necessity or desire of preserving them leads to laws and social institutions. The discovery of peculiar arts gives superiority to particular nations ... to subjugate other nations, who learn their arts, and ultimately adopt their manners;- so that in reality the origin as well as the progress and improvement of civil society is founded in mechanical and chemical inventions.

Humphry Davy

Art, Science, Reality

Sir Humphry Davy (1840). “Salmonia: or, Days of fly-fishing; in a series of conversations: with some account of the habits of fishes belonging to the genus Salmo. Consolation in travel, or, The last days of a philosopher”, p.351

Cuvier had even in his address & manner the character of a superior Man, much general power & eloquence in conversation & great variety of information on scientific as well as popular subjects. I should say of him that he is the most distinguished man of talents I have ever known on the continent: but I doubt if He be entitled to the appellation of a Man of Genius.

Humphry Davy

Character, Science, Men

To me there never has been a higher source of honour or distinction than that connected with advances in science. I have not possessed enough of the eagle in my character to make a direct flight to the loftiest altitudes in the social world; and I certainly never endeavored to reach those heights by using the creeping powers of the reptile, who in ascending, generally chooses the dirtiest path, because it is the easiest.

Humphry Davy

Character, Ambition, Science

The progression of physical science is much more connected with your prosperity than is usually imagined. You owe to experimental philosophy some of the most important and peculiar of your advantages. It is not by foreign conquests chiefly that you are become great, but by a conquest of nature in your own country.

Humphry Davy

Country, Philosophy, Science

Humphry Davy (1840). “The Collected Works of Sir Humphry Davy (etc.)”, p.358

Geology, perhaps more than any other department of natural philosophy, is a science of contemplation. It requires no experience or complicated apparatus, no minute processes upon the unknown processes of matter. It demands only an enquiring mind and senses alive to the facts almost everywhere presented in nature. And as it may be acquired without much difficulty, so it may be improved without much painful exertion.

Humphry Davy

Philosophy, Science, Mind

There are very few persons who pursue science with true dignity.

Humphry Davy

Science, Men, Dignity

Sir Humphry Davy (1840). “Salmonia: or, Days of fly-fishing; in a series of conversations: with some account of the habits of fishes belonging to the genus Salmo. Consolation in travel, or, The last days of a philosopher”, p.350

Humphry Davy Quotes about Science

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