Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Chemistry Swedish 1742 – 1786 320 quotes

He independently discovered oxygen and identified several other chemical elements.

Quotes by Carl Wilhelm Scheele

In politics, alliances form like precipitates.

Analogy in Letter 1780

The soul finds peace in chemical harmony.

Reflection on Life 1784

Last words: Continue the work; truth awaits.

Deathbed 1786

Molybdic acid reveals the veins of the earth.

On Molybdenum 1778

Art imitates nature, chemistry reveals it.

Essay Excerpt 1779

A witty observation: Chemists are alchemists without the gold.

To a Friend 1773

Personal truth: Solitude breeds innovation.

Early Letter 1764

Fluorine eludes capture, like elusive wisdom.

On Fluorspar 1785

In science, every question answered births ten more.

Journal Entry 1782

The joy of discovery outweighs the pain of toil.

Reflection 1771

Prussic acid whispers death's secret.

On Hydrocyanic Acid 1782

Humor in the lab: Why do chemists like nitrates? They're cheaper than day rates!

Joke to Apprentice 1775

Life's meaning: To uncover what is hidden.

Philosophical Note 1783

It is not the quantity of the experiments, but the quality of the observations that matters.

Various letters and notes

The air consists of two different elastic fluids, one of which is absorbed by burning substances, and the other not.

Chemische Abhandlung von der Luft und dem Feuer (Chemical Treatise on Air and Fire) 1777

This air, which is so necessary for fire, I call 'fire air'.

Chemische Abhandlung von der Luft und dem Feuer (Chemical Treatise on Air and Fire) 1777

The other elastic fluid, which remains after the absorption of the fire air, I call 'foul air'.

Chemische Abhandlung von der Luft und dem Feuer (Chemical Treatise on Air and Fire) 1777

I have found that the air, which is so necessary for the support of fire, is a particular kind of elastic fluid, different from that which remains after combustion.

Chemische Abhandlung von der Luft und dem Feuer (Chemical Treatise on Air and Fire) 1777

The most important thing is to observe carefully and to describe accurately what one sees.

Various letters and notes

I have discovered a new acid, which I call 'lactic acid'.

Undersökning af mjölksyran (Investigation of Lactic Acid) 1780