Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
A prominent naturalist who authored the monumental 'Histoire Naturelle', a 36-volume encyclopedia that influenced generations of naturalists.
Most quoted
"The first truth that results from this examination is that the Earth is a planet, a star, which has its own movement, which turns around the Sun, and which, consequently, is subject to the same laws as all the other planets."
— from Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière, 1749
"Man is the only animal that can laugh and weep; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are, and what they ought to be."
— from Attributed
"Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be."
— from Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière, 1749
All quotes by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (406)
The greatest wisdom is to know oneself.
The universe is an infinite book, whose pages are constantly turning.
The most beautiful dreams are those which come true.
To observe well is to think well.
Nature is the greatest artist.
The history of animals is the most ancient and the most extensive part of natural history.
The most beautiful of all spectacles is the sky, for it is the work of God.
The first and most important quality of style is clarity.
The mind of man is a mirror which reflects the universe.
The great secret of writing well is to think well.
Time is the only thing that belongs to us.
Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience.
The most perfect works are those which appear to have been written with the least effort.
Nature is always uniform in her general laws, but infinitely varied in her particular productions.
The most beautiful thoughts are those which are the most simple.
The human species is the only one that can reflect on its own existence.
The true philosopher is he who observes nature without prejudice.
The universe is a vast machine, the springs of which are hidden from us.
The art of writing is the art of thinking.
The earth is not a mere mass of inert matter, but a living body.
Contemporaries of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
Other Biologys born within 50 years of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707–1788).