Erasmus Darwin Quotes

38 Sourced Quotes

Would it be too bold to imagine that, in the great length of time since the earth began to exist, perhaps millions of ages before the commencement of the history of mankind would it be too bold to imagine that all warm-blooded animals have arisen from one living filament, which the great First Cause endued with animality, with the power of acquiring new parts, attended with new propensities, directed by irritations, sensations, volitions and associations, and thus possessing the faculty of continuing to improve by its own inherent activity, and of delivering down these improvements by generation to its posterity, world without end!

Erasmus Darwin
On being asked whether his stammering caused him inconvenience:
No, Sir, because I have time to think before I speak, and don't ask impertinent questions.

Erasmus Darwin
Whilst I am writing to a Philosopher and a Friend, I can scarcely forget that I am also writing to the greatest Statesman of the present, or perhaps of any century, who spread the happy contagion of Liberty among his countrymen.

Erasmus Darwin
I much condole with you on your late loss...pains and diseases of the mind are only cured by Forgetfulness;—Reason but skins the wound, which is perpetually liable to fester again.

Erasmus Darwin
[Retirement] is a dangerous experiment, and generally ends in either drunkenness or hypochrondriacism.

Erasmus Darwin
Such is the condition of organic nature! whose first law might be expressed in the words 'Eat or be eaten!' and which would seem to be one great slaughter-house, one universal scene of rapacity and injustice!

Erasmus Darwin
For if we may compare infinities, it would seem to require a greater infinity of power to cause the causes of effects, than to cause the effects themselves. This idea is analogous to the improving excellence observable in every part of the creation; such as in the progressive increase of the solid or habitable parts of the earth from water; and in the progressive increase of the wisdom and happiness of its inhabitants; and is consonant to the idea of our present situation being a state of probation, which by our exertion we may improve, and are consequently responsible for our actions.

Erasmus Darwin
It is often hazardous to marry an heiress, as she is not unfrequently the last of a diseased family.

Erasmus Darwin