Alfred Russel Wallace
Independently conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection and made significant contributions to biogeography.
Most quoted
"The action of this principle is exactly like that of the centrifugal governor of the steam engine, which checks and corrects any irregularities almost before they become evident; and in like manner no unbalanced deficiency in the animal kingdom can ever have continued to exist."
— from Letter to Charles Darwin, 1858
"The great superiority of the human intellect over that of the lower animals, and the fact that this superiority is not required by the conditions of savage life, seem to me to be an insuperable difficulty in the way of the theory of natural selection."
— from Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection
"The general result of the study of the fossil remains of the extinct mammalia is to show that the forms most nearly allied to those now living were the latest, and that the more ancient forms differ more and more widely from the existing types."
— from Island Life, 1880
All quotes by Alfred Russel Wallace (406)
The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge.
The universe is full of wonders, if only we have eyes to see them.
The true scientist is a man who is always willing to admit that he may be wrong.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
The greatest discovery of all is the discovery of ourselves.
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.
The greatest wealth is health.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
The only constant in life is change.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
What a magnificent and glorious problem is here to be solved!
The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the wisdom of the Creator.
The greatest good we can do for others is not just to share our riches, but to reveal to them their own.
The whole world is a museum of wonders.
The true wealth of a nation consists not in its gold or silver, but in its learning, wisdom, and the uprightness of its citizens.
The study of nature is the best school for the human mind.
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.
Contemporaries of Alfred Russel Wallace
Other Biologys born within 50 years of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913).