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

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

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.

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 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.

Fun is one of the most important - and underrated - ingredients in any successful venture. If you're not having fun, then it's probably time to call it quits and try something else.

I love comedy, because I like making fun of things even though they are dramatic.

In order to eliminate discrimination, the Modern Liberal has opted to become utterly indiscriminate.

Let us not underrate the value of a fact; it will one day flower into a truth.

When you start to doubt yourself the real world will eat you alive.

I embrace my rival, but only to strangle him.

I believe you select a president who best represents what you think are the values that God wants us to have.

We keep what is valuable to us, what we cherish.

One defining symptom of decadence is a fondness for vast and nonsensical extravagance.

I love the scrapbooks, I have a shelf of scrapbooks fans give me - they're so sweet, so detailed!