"Nothing is so commonplace as to wish to be remarkable."

"Truth, when not sought after, rarely comes to light."

"Science is a first-rate piece of furniture for a man's upper chamber, if he has common sense on the ground floor."

"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving."

"The truth of our faith becomes a matter of ridicule among the infidels if any Catholic, not gifted with the necessary scientific learning, presents as dogma what scientific scrutiny shows to be false."

"Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones."

"Love, hope, fear, faith - these make humanity These are its sign and note and character."

"I have three goddaughters - I'm not sure why they trust me, because I have no experience with children - but I try."