Michael Faraday

Physics English 1791 – 1867 646 quotes

Discovered electromagnetic induction and electrolysis laws

Most quoted

"The world little knows how many of the thoughts and theories which have passed through the mind of a scientific investigator have been crushed in silence and secrecy by his own severe criticism and negative examination; that in the most seemingly arrogant, the most regular and self-sustained investigator, the most patient and laborious inquirer, there is often a feeling of powerlessness and despair."

— from On the Various Forces of Nature, 1849

"I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal."

— from Personal prayer/meditation

"I will simply express my strong belief, that that point of self-education which consists in teaching the mind to resist its desires and inclinations, until they are proved to be right, is the most important of all, not only in things of natural philosophy, but in every department of daily life."

— from Lecture on Mental Education, 1854

All quotes by Michael Faraday (646)

I am ever at work.

Letter 1845

The atmosphere is a great laboratory.

Lecture 1840

The end of my labors has come.

Last words 1867

The principles of chemistry are the principles of nature.

Attributed

I have found the key to the magneto-electric current.

Diary 1831

Life's purpose is to seek knowledge.

Attributed

The spark is the visible sign of electricity.

Lecture 1825

My experiments are my life.

Letter

The universe is governed by laws.

Speech

Discovery is seeing what everybody else has seen, and thinking what nobody else has thought.

Attributed

The chemical action is definite.

Experimental Researches 1834

I thank God for the opportunities.

Speech 1860

The field lines are closed curves.

On the Physical Lines of Force 1852

The mind must be disciplined.

Advice

Electricity passes through all bodies.

Experimental Researches 1836

The beauty of the rainbow is in its physics.

Lecture 1849

I am a child of the laboratory.

Attributed

The laws of induction are universal.

Experimental Researches 1831

Persevere in your work.

Letter to student

The magneto-optical effect is real.

Diary 1845