33 Quotes by Humphry Davy

Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort.

I have learned more from my mistakes than from my successes.

The ideal life is that which has few friends, but many acquaintances.

The most important of my discoveries have been suggested to me by failures.

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

By science calmed, over the peaceful soul, Bright with eternal Wisdom’s lucid ray, Peace, meek of eye, extends her soft control, And drives the puny Passions far away.

I envy no quality of the mind or intellect in others; not genius, power, wit, nor fancy; but, if I could choose what would be most delightful, and, I believe, most useful to me, I should prefer a firm religious belief to every other blessing.

We must reason in natural philosophy not from what we hope, or even expect, but from what we perceive.

The three states of the caterpillar, larva, and butterfly have, since the time of the Greek poets, been applied to typify the human being, – its terrestrial form, apparent death, and ultimate celestial destination.