509 Quotes by Charles Darwin

The main conclusion here arrived at ... is that man is descended from some less highly organized form.

Of all the differences between man and the lower animals, the moral sense or conscience is by far the most important . . . [I]t is summed up in that short but imperious word ought, so full of high significance. It is the most noble of all the attributes of man, leading him without a moment's hesitation to risk his life for that of a fellow-creature; or after due deliberation, impelled simply by the deep feeling of right or duty, to sacrifice it in some great cause.

Any one whose disposition leads him to attach more weight to unexplained difficulties than to the explanation of facts will certainly reject my theory.

It's an awful stretcher to believe that a peacock's tail was thus formed but ... most people just don't get it - I must be a very bad explainer

There is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their ability to feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.

Music was known and understood before words were spoken.

I worked on true Baconian principles, and without any theory collected facts.

There is a grandeur in this view of life, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful are being evolved

Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history.