Joseph Henry Quotes

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The seeds of great discoveries are constantly floating around us, but they only take root in minds well-prepared to receive them.

Joseph Henry

The general mental qualification necessary for scientific advancement is that which is usually denominated "common sense," though added to this, imagination, induction, and trained logic, either of common language or of mathematics, are important adjuncts.

Joseph Henry

Meteorology has ever been an apple of contention, as if the violent commotions of the atmosphere induced a sympathetic effect on the minds of those who have attempted to study them.

Joseph Henry

The man of true genius never lives before his time, he never undertakes impossibilities, and always embarks on his enterprise at the suitable place and period. Though he may catch a glimpse of the coming light as it gilds the mountain top long before it reaches the eyes of his contemporaries, and he may hazard a prediction as to the future, he acts with the present.

Joseph Henry

Science is the pursuit above all which impresses us with the capacity of man for intellectual and moral progress and awakens the human intellect to aspiration for a higher condition of humanity.

Joseph Henry

Narrow minds think nothing of importance but their own favorite pursuit, but liberal views exclude no branch of science or literature.

Joseph Henry

Joseph Henry

Joseph Henry

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Born: December 17, 1797

Died: May 13, 1878 (aged 80)

Bio: Joseph Henry was an American scientist who served as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He was the secretary for the National Institute for the Promotion of Science, a precursor of the Smithsonian Institution.

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