The besetting sin of able men is impatience of contradiction and of criticism. Even those who do their best to resist the temptation, yield to it almost unconsciously and become the tools of toadies and flatterers. "Authorities," "disciples," and "schools" are the curse of science and do more to interfere with the work of the scientific spirit than all its enemies.

Aphorisms and Reflections from the Works of Thomas Henry Huxley (ed. Library of Alexandria, 1908) - ISBN: 9781465513274