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Alfred Russel Wallace Quotes

Naturalist

Alfred Russel Wallace was a British naturalist renowned for his contributions to the theory of evolution. He independently proposed the theory of natural selection during his explorations in South America, sharing the honor of evolutionary theory with Charles Darwin. Wallace also conducted extensive research in entomology, botany, and geography.

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Famous Alfred Russel Wallace Quotes

“{Letter to his brother, 1861} ... I remain an utter disbeliever in almost all that you consider the most sacred truths... But whether there be a God and whatever be His nature; whether we have an immortal soul or not, or whatever may be our state after death, I can have no fear of having to suffer for the study of nature and the search for truth, or believe that those will be better off in a future state who have lived in the belief of doctrines inculcated from childhood, and which are to them rather a matter of blind faith than intelligent conviction.”

Truth Science Fear Nature Study Evidence Conviction Blind Faith Brainwash Contemptible Disbeliever Inculcate Sceptics

Book:Letters and Reminiscences 1

Source: Letters and Reminiscences 1

“Why do some die and some live? The answer was clearly, that on the whole the best fitted live. From the effects of disease the most healthy escaped; from enemies, the strongest, swiftest, or the most cunning; from famine, the best hunters or those with the best digestion; and so on. Then it suddenly flashed upon me that this self-acting process would necessarily improve the race, because in every generation the inferior would inevitably be killed off and the superior would remain-that is, the fittest would survive.”

Self Whole Science Dies Process Answers Acting Race Enemy Generations Effects Evolution Healthy Disease Survival Superiors Strongest Inferiors Hunters Cunning Famine Digestion

Author:Alfred Russel Wallace

“In less than eight years "The Origin of Species" has produced conviction in the minds of a majority of the most eminent living men of science. New facts, new problems, new difficulties as they arise are accepted, solved, or removed by this theory; and its principles are illustrated by the progress and conclusions of every well established branch of human knowledge.”

Source: Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of Essays