John Ray
A naturalist who made significant contributions to taxonomy, defining the concept of a species and publishing influential works on plants and animals.
Most quoted
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."
— from Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation
"The wisdom of God is conspicuously seen in the admirable contrivance of the bodies of animals, and the exquisite fitness of their several parts to their respective functions."
— from The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation, 1691
"Let us then with all diligence apply ourselves to the study of nature, that we may thereby be led to admire and adore its great Creator."
— from Preface to Synopsis Methodica Stirpium Britannicarum
All quotes by John Ray (391)
The number of species of plants and animals is so great that it is impossible to give a full and accurate account of them all.
Nature is not so lavish as to produce anything in vain.
It is not the business of a naturalist to make things, but to observe them.
The works of God are so many and so great, that they cannot be comprehended by the mind of man.
There is no creature so small or so contemptible, but it bears the impress of the divine wisdom.
The true knowledge of nature is to be attained by observation and experiment, not by speculation.
The more we search into the works of nature, the more we discover of the wisdom and power of God.
A species is never produced from the seed of another species.
The whole world is a theatre of God's glory.
It is a great error to imagine that anything in nature is made in vain.
The study of nature is a most delightful and profitable employment.
The distinction of species is the foundation of all natural history.
God has made nothing in vain, but everything for some end.
The more we know of nature, the more we admire the Creator.
The world is full of wonders, and the more we examine them, the more we are astonished.
The true method of studying nature is to begin with particulars and ascend to generals.
The wisdom of God is conspicuous in the structure of every creature.
There is no part of the creation, how mean soever, but it affords matter of admiration.
The variety of nature is infinite, and yet all things are ordered with the greatest wisdom.
The study of nature leads us to the knowledge of God.
Contemporaries of John Ray
Other Biologys born within 50 years of John Ray (1627–1705).