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)

The effect is proportional to the intensity.

On the Magnetization of Light 1846

My life has been a dedication to science.

Interview 1860

The spark of genius is experiment.

Attributed

The chemical theory is electrochemical.

Experimental Researches 1834

The meaning of life is in service.

Attributed

The lines of force guide us.

On the Physical Lines of Force 1852

I rest in the Lord.

Last words 1867

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.

Personal prayer/meditation

The important thing is to know how to take a hint, how to follow a clue, how to make an observation, how to make an experiment.

Unpublished notes

I have been so busy with my own thoughts and experiments that I have had little time for anything else.

Letter to Sarah Faraday 1832

The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.

Unpublished notes

I could not help but feel that I was in the presence of a great mind, and that I was learning much from him.

Diary entry (referring to Humphry Davy) 1813

I have always loved the pursuit of truth, and I have found it to be a most rewarding pursuit.

Unpublished notes

The more we know, the more we are aware of our ignorance.

Unpublished notes

I am a very happy man, and I have much to be thankful for.

Unpublished notes

The greatest joy of all is to understand something new.

Unpublished notes

I have always tried to be honest and straightforward in all my dealings.

Unpublished notes

The beauty of nature is a constant source of inspiration to me.

Unpublished notes

I have no other wish than to be useful in my generation.

Unpublished notes

The universe is full of wonders, and we are only just beginning to explore them.

Unpublished notes