Home / Authors / Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley Quotes

Philosopher

Joseph Priestley was an English philosopher, chemist, and deist. He is known for his contributions to the study of gases, particularly for his discovery of oxygen. Priestley was an advocate of empiricism in philosophy and also made contributions to the field of education.

Filter quotes by topic

All Doctrine May Mean Men Persons Science Christian Common Ideas Air Atonement Degrees Glorious Ifs Might Practice Reason Trinity World Articles

Famous Joseph Priestley Quotes

“In completing one discovery we never fail to get an imperfect knowledge of others.”

Science Knowledge Failing Discovery Imperfection Imperfect Completing

Book:The theological and miscellaneous works of Joseph Priestley

Source: The theological and miscellaneous works of Joseph Priestley

“The greater is the circle of light, the greater is the boundary of the darkness by which it is confined. But, notwithstanding this, the more light get, the more thankful we ought to be, for by this means we have the greater range for satisfactory contemplation. time the bounds of light will be still farther extended; and from the infinity of the divine nature, and the divine works, we may promise ourselves an endless progress in our investigation them: a prospect truly sublime and glorious.”

Source: The theological and miscellaneous works of Joseph Priestley

“But it is not given to every electrician to die in so glorious a manner as the justly envied Richmann.”

Science Dies Given Envy Glorious Lightning Envied Electrician

Book:The History and Present State of Electricity: With Original Experiments. Reprinted from the 3d Ed., London, 1755, with an Appendix Containing Two Additional Papers of Original Experiments by the Author, and a New Introd. by Robert E. Shofield

Source: The History and Present State of Electricity: With Original Experiments. Reprinted from the 3d Ed., London, 1755, with an Appendix Containing Two Additional Papers of Original Experiments by the Author, and a New Introd. by Robert E. Shofield

“I have procured air [oxygen] ... between five and six times as good as the best common air that I have ever met with.”

Science Common Five Air Mets Six Oxygen

Author:Joseph Priestley

“The feeling of it to my lungs was not sensibly different from that of common air; but I fancied that my breast felt peculiarly light and easy for some time afterwards. Who can tell but that, in time, this pure air may become a fashionable article in luxury. Hitherto only two mice and myself have had the privilege of breathing it.”

Source: Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air: Vol. II. By Joseph Priestley, ...