“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:”

we must suppose all the covering of moss and heath and wood to be torn away from the sides of the mountains, and the green mantle that lies near their feet to be lifted up;

Considered as a mere question of physics, (and keeping all moral considerations entirely out of sight,) the appearance of man is a geological phenomenon of vast importance

Or holds them of no account in the estimate of his origin and place in the created world.

We must in imagination sweep off the drifted matter that clogs the surface of the ground;

The utmost movements that he allows are a slight quivering of her muscular integuments.

Our labours for the black people of Africa were works of madmen; and man and woman are only better beasts!

Among the older records, we find chapter after chapter of which we can read the characters, and make out their meaning: and as we approach the period of man’s creation,

If the [Vestiges] be true, the labours of sober induction are in vain; religion is a lie; human law is a mass of folly, and a base injustice; morality is moonshine

The world is not as it was when it came from its Maker’s hands.

Our chronicle seems to fail us-a leaf has been torn out from nature’s record, and the succession of events is almost hidden from our eyes.

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.

We cannot comprehend what comprehends us.

He that will believe only what he can fully comprehend must have a long head or a very short creed.

The truth is far beyond what we can see. Therefore my art is an invitation to comprehend this fact.

“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