509 Quotes by Charles Darwin

The plow is one of the most ancient and most valuable of man's inventions; but long before he existed the land was in fact regularly plowed, and still continues to be thus plowed by earthworms. It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organized creatures.

A bad earthquake at once destroys the oldest associations: the world, the very emblem of all that is solid, has moved beneath our feet like a crust over a fluid; one second of time has conveyed to the mind a strange idea of insecurity, which hours of reflection would never have created.

I always make special notes about evidence that contridicts me: supportive evidence I can remember without trying.

The normal food of man is vegetable.

It is absurd to talk of one animal being higher than another...we consider those, where the intellectual faculties most developed as the highest. - A bee doubtless would [use] ... instincts as a criteria.

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.

In my simplicity, I remember wondering why every gentleman did not become an ornithologist.

The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an improved theory, is it then a science or faith?

If I had not been so great an invalid, I should not have done so much as I have accomplished.