Torbern Bergman Quotes

8 Sourced Quotes

Fossils are of four kinds, viz. saline, earthy, inflammable and metallic; hence arise four classes.

Torbern Bergman
The mineral kingdom consists of the fossil substances found in the earth. These are either entirely destitute of organic structure, or, having once possessed it, possess it no longer: such are the petrefactions.

Torbern Bergman
The history of chemistry is properly divided into the mythological, the obscure, and the certain.

Torbern Bergman
An observer swayed by preconceived opinions, may be considered as one who views objects through coloured glasses, so that each object assumes a tinge similar to that of the glasses employed. He who seeks the truth must learn to observe with equal candour those facts which controvert his opinions, and those which favour them.

Torbern Bergman
A vast number of observations without order or regularity is not unlike a confused heap of stones, lime, beams, and rafters requisite for constructing an edifice, but which being combined with no skill fail in producing the proposed effect.

Torbern Bergman
Crystals are bodies which, though destitute of organic structure, yet externally resemble geometrical figures more or less regular.

Torbern Bergman
The philosophical method, by pretending to unlock the secrets of nature with ease and expedition, soothes a natural impulse to explain all things; and by assuming everything to be accessible to the human intelligence, administers pleasing flattery to vanity and arrogance.

Torbern Bergman
One observer will relate an event with the most extravagant encomiums; another will detract from its real merit; a third, by some oblique insinuation, will cast suspicion on the motive; and a fourth will represent it as a crime of the blackest dye. These different descriptions represent the character of the respective observers.

Torbern Bergman