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)
Farewell to this world; nature has been my joy.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The works of God are great and marvellous, and ought to be diligently inquired into by all who desire to know God.
There is no part of the creation, no, not the least, but what is full of the wisdom of God.
The study of nature is the study of God.
The more we search into the works of nature, the more we shall admire the wisdom and power of God.
Nature is the art of God.
Whatever is, is right.
The great business of the natural historian is to describe and distinguish the several kinds of natural bodies.
The whole creation is a standing monument of the infinite wisdom and power of God.
The more we know of the works of God, the more we shall be convinced of his infinite wisdom and power.
The true end of natural philosophy is to give us a clear and distinct knowledge of the works of God.
It is not enough to know the names of things, but we must also know their natures.
The world is a great book, in which we may read the wisdom of God.
The works of nature are all regular and orderly, and do not admit of any confusion or disorder.
The study of plants is a most delightful and profitable employment.
God has made nothing in vain.
The structure of animals is a most wonderful piece of divine artifice.
The more we examine the works of God, the more we shall find cause to admire his wisdom and power.
The whole creation is a theatre of divine glory.
Contemporaries of John Ray
Other Biologys born within 50 years of John Ray (1627–1705).