Robert Boyle

I am not so much concerned to be thought learned, as to be truly so.

I am not one of those who think that the knowledge of nature is to be acquired by speculation alone, but by experiments.

I am very sensible of the great uncertainty of human knowledge.

I would not have you imagine that I am vain enough to think myself able to instruct you in the art of making experiments, or that I have attained to any great perfection in it myself.

The Sceptical Chymist, as I have called him, is one who, being unwilling to be imposed upon by the authority of any master, or by the speciousness of any theory, resolves to examine things by experiments.

I confess I am not satisfied with the vulgar notions of the elements, and I think it is high time that we should endeavor to find out some more rational and experimental principles.

It is not enough to have a good theory, unless it be supported by good experiments.

I am not ashamed to confess that I have learned more from the mistakes of others than from their successes.

The true way of improving natural philosophy is to lay aside all prejudices, and to make experiments with a free and unprejudiced mind.

I would rather discover one single truth, though it were of the least importance, than to be the author of the most elaborate system of errors.

The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the wisdom and power of its Author.

It is not the business of a philosopher to invent systems, but to discover truths.

The best way to convince others is to show them the experiments.

I do not pretend to have discovered all the secrets of nature, but I hope I have opened a door for others to enter.

The air is a fluid body, whose parts are in a perpetual motion, and which is capable of being compressed and expanded.

The pressure of the air is proportional to its density.

I have often observed that the most important discoveries have been made by accident.

It is a great mistake to imagine that we can know anything perfectly.

The more we know, the more we discover our ignorance.

I am not afraid to change my opinion, when I find that I have been mistaken.