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 wisdom of God is not only seen in the creation, but also in the preservation and government of the world.
The study of nature is a most delightful and edifying exercise.
The more we know of the works of God, the more we shall be filled with admiration and love.
The whole creation is a hymn of praise to the Creator.
The contemplation of nature is a most excellent way to spend our time.
The world is a book, in which every creature is a letter, and every letter speaks of God.
The wisdom of God is infinite, and his works are unsearchable.
The more we search into the works of God, the more we shall discover of his glory.
The whole creation is a testimony to the existence and perfections of God.
The contemplation of nature is a most powerful incentive to devotion.
The world is a school of virtue, where we may learn to love and obey God.
The wisdom of God is seen in the variety and diversity of his works.
The study of nature is a most delightful and profitable recreation.
The more we know of the works of God, the more we shall be humbled in our own eyes.
The whole creation is a ladder, by which we may ascend to God.
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.
The number of true species in nature is fixed and limited, and does not pass the bounds of those genera which were originally created.
I am not so fond of novelty as to reject all that is old, nor so tenacious of antiquity as to despise all that is new.
A species is a collection of individuals which are alike in their essential characters, and which propagate their kind.
It is not the business of a naturalist to inquire into the causes of things, but to describe them as they are.
Contemporaries of John Ray
Other Biologys born within 50 years of John Ray (1627–1705).