“It has been modified by many great revolutions, brought about by an inner mechanism of which we very imperfectly comprehend the movements; but of which we gain a glimpse by studying their effects:”

As a system of philosophy it is not like the Tower of Babel, so daring its high aim as to seek a shelter against God’s anger; but it is like a pyramid poised on its apex.

Like so much horse-physic!! Gross credulity and rank infidelity joined in unlawful marriage, and breeding a deformed progeny of unnatural conclusions!

Indirectly modifying the whole surface of the earth, breaking in upon any supposition of zoological continuity, and utterly unaccounted for by what we have any right to call the laws of nature.

A cold atheistical materialism is the tendency of the so-called material philosophy of the present day.

Yet Mr. Lyell will admit no greater paroxysms than we ourselves have witnessed-no periods of feverish spasmodic energy, during which the very framework of nature has been convulsed and torn asunder.

And why is this done? For no other reason, I am sure, except to make us independent of a Creator.

The sober facts of geology shuffled, so as to play a rogue’s game; phrenology (that sinkhole of human folly and prating coxcombry); spontaneous generation; transmutation of species; and I know not what; all to be swallowed, without tasting and trying

The powers of nature are never in repose; her work never stands still.

[Vestiges begins] from principles which are at variance with all sober inductive truth.

Our book becomes more clear, and nature seems to speak to us in language so like our own, that we easily comprehend it.

And their many causes still acting on the surface of our globe with undiminished power, which are changing, and will continue to change it, as long as it shall last.

we may then see the muscular integuments, and sinews, and bones of our mother Earth,

We cannot take one step in geology without drawing upon the fathomless stores of by-gone time.

The pretended physical philosophy of modern days strips Man of all his moral attributes

From first to last it is a dish of rank materialism cleverly cooked up.

But just as we begin to enter on the history of physical changes going on before our eyes, and in which we ourselves bear a part,

“To be or not to be is” [by William Shakespeare] beyond anything I can comprehend.

In order to learn, comprehend and rediscover that I can be and I want to be better at every moment.

A man, engaged in his simple reflections in everyday life, will comprehend neither the possibility, nor the benefits of self-sacrifice, but, when given (“qu’on lui donne”, Fr.) a great cause to defend, and he will find only natural to sacrifice oneself for it.

Our book becomes more clear, and nature seems to speak to us in language so like our own, that we easily comprehend it.

When we define ourselves by what we can recognize, by what we can comprehend- rather than, say, by what we can describe

What we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe.

As for being much known by sight, and pointed out, I cannot comprehend the honor that lies withal; whatsoever it be, every mountebank has it more than the best doctor.

From time immemorial, man has desired to comprehend the complexity of nature in terms of as few elementary concepts as possible.