“The whole circumference of each of these streaks was about the thickness of a hair of one’s head. … all consisted of very small green globules joined together: and there were very many small green globules as well. [The earliest recorded observation of the common green alga Spyrogyra.]”

Man has always to be busy with his thoughts if anything is to be accomplished.

In the year 1657 I discovered very small living creatures in rain water.

And I judge that some of these little creatures were above a thousand times smaller than the smallest ones I have ever yet seen, upon the rind of cheese, in wheaten flour, mould, and the like.

I’ve spent more time than many will believe [making microscopic observations], but I’ve done them with joy, and I’ve taken no notice those who have said why take so much trouble and what good is it?

The 31th of May, I perceived in the same water more of those Animals, as also some that were somewhat bigger.

And therewithal, whenever I found out anything remarkable, I have thought it my duty to put down my discovery on paper, so that all ingenious people might be informed thereof.

This particle I concluded to be the heart.

For, the circumference of one of these little Animals in water, is not so big as the thickness of a hair in a Cheese-mite.

And I imagine, that [ten hundred thousand] of these little Creatures do not equal an ordinary grain of Sand in bigness: And comparing them with a Cheese-mite (which may be seen to move with the naked eye)

Ten hundred thousand of them could not equal the dimensions of a grain of such course Sand.

I observed certain animalcules, within whole bodies I saw so quick a motion as to exceed belief; they were about the size of a large grain of sand, and their bodies being transparent, that the internal motion could plainly be seen.

I have divers times endeavoured to see and to know, what parts the Blood consists of; and at length I have observ’d, taking some Blood out of my own hand, that it consists of small round globuls driven through a Crystalline humidity or water.

I saw this vast number of animalcules not all through the semen, but only in the liquid matter adhering to the thicker part.

Examining this water…I found floating therein divers earthy particles, and some green streaks, spirally wound serpent-wise.

My determination is not to remain stubbornly with my ideas, but I’ll leave them and go over to others as soon as I am shown plausible reasons which I can grasp.

In the year 1657 I discovered very small living creatures in rain water.

No matter where you’re from or what you’ve done, you’re never stuck in a particular circumstance, relationship, or cycle unless you say you are.

In the decisive moment I won the victory over myself. I chose to live. And believe me, it takes courage to choose life under those circumstances.

Happiness for the average person may be said to flow largely from common sense – adapting one-self to circumstances – and a sense of humor.

The only circumstance that a woman can ask for a divorce or a khali is when her husband is in total agreement with her or if she comes from a very powerful family who decide to back her up.

When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.

As Nelson Mandela has pointed out, boycott is not a principle, it is a tactic depending upon circumstances.

There is a joy available that the deepest grief cannot put out. No circumstance or person can take away the joy God gives.

I am going to judge my circumstances by Jesus’ love, not Jesus’ love by my circumstances.