The fact -- not theory -- that evolution has occurred and the Darwinian theory as to how it occurred have become so confused in popular opinion that the distinction must be stressed.

Splitting and gradual divergence of genera is exemplified very well and in a large variety of organisms.

I have a debt, a loyalty to the museum; the best place for me to do what I wanted to do.

I don't know where to put whales. I'm sticking them here, but I don't have any reason for it.

Man is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind

Species evolve exactly as if they were adapting as best they could to a changing world, and not at all as if they were moving toward a set goal.

The search for historical laws is, I maintain, mistaken in principle.

...the argument from absence of transitional types boils down to the striking fact that such types are always lacking unless they have been found.

It is inherent in any definition of science that statements that cannot be checked by observation are not really saying anything or at least they are not science.

The science of systematics has long been affected by profound philosophical preconceptions, which have been all the more influential for being usually covert, even subconscious.

Almost all paleontologists recognize that the discovery of a complete transition is in any case unlikely.

to understand pretending, " Ombric was fond of saying, "is to conquer all barriers of time and space.

Good and bad exist always, everywhere

most of us, as we undergo the growing up process, do not get what we want or even what we should. We get what we have, and no more, and we find out how to make what we have work for us.

Bad news is that you can control nothing but your thoughts. Good news is that with your thoughts you can control everything else.

They say that age kills the fire inside of a man, that he hears Death coming, he opens the door and says, "Come in, give me rest!" That is a pack of goddam lies.

And he who has dwelt with his heart alone, Hears all the music in friendship's tone. So better and better I comprehend How sorrow ever would be our friend.

As we celebrate President Reagan's remarkable career and historic legacy, we also celebrate a man of strong character, deep conviction, unforgettable charm, and wonderful wit.

Acting has always been such escapism for me.

To say that New York came up to its advance billing would be the baldest of understatements. Being there was like being in heaven without going to all the bother and expense of dying.

Let a man get up and say, Behold, this is the truth, and instantly I perceive a sandy cat filching a piece of fish in the background. Look, you have forgotten the cat, I say.