238 Quotes by Thomas Henry Huxley

In matters of the intellect, do not pretend that conclusions are certain which are not demonstrated or demonstrable. That I take to be the agnostic faith, which if a man keep whole and undefiled, he shall not be ashamed to look the universe in the face, whatever the future may have in store for him.

The only people, scientific or other, who never make mistakes are those who do nothing.

No delusion is greater than the notion that method and industry can make up for lack of mother-wit, either in science or in practical life.

The world is neither wise nor just, but it makes up for all its folly and injustice by being damnably sentimental.

Life is like walking along a crowded street – there always seem to be fewer obstacles to getting along on the opposite pavement – and yet, if one crosses over, matters are rarely mended.

I have never been able to understand why pigeon-shooting at Hurlingham should be refined and polite, while a rat-killing match in Whitechapel is low.

Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors.

People may talk about intellectual teaching, but what we principally want is the moral teaching.

The great tragedy of science – the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.