William Bayliss Quotes

3 Sourced Quotes

At the very outset of our studies we are faced by one of the most difficult problems with which the biologist has to deal, namely, the structure, chemical and physical, and the elementary properties of protoplasm. This substance is met with in all living cells, but in various degrees of differentiation into more specialised structures.

William Bayliss

But at the same time, there must never be the least hesitation in giving up a position the moment it is shown to be untenable. It is not going too far to say that the greatness of a scientific investigator does not rest on the fact of his having never made a mistake, but rather on his readiness to admit that he has done so, whenever the contrary evidence is cogent enough.

William Bayliss

But, as Bacon has well pointed out, truth is more likely to come out of error, if this is clear and definite, than out of confusion, and my experience teaches me that it is better to hold a well-understood and intelligible opinion, even if it should turn out to be wrong, than to be content with a muddle-headed mixture of conflicting views, sometimes miscalled impartiality, and often no better than no opinion at all.

William Bayliss