Michael Faraday quotes

Michael Faraday was an English scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His experiments led to the invention of the electric motor and the principles behind electromagnetic induction. He is celebrated for making science accessible to the public and inspiring future generations of scientists. Here are 36 of his quotes:

The important thing is to know how to take all things quietly.

Michael Faraday

But still try, for who knows what is possible...

Michael Faraday

Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature.

Michael Faraday

I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds.

Michael Faraday

There is no more open door by which you can enter into the study of natural philosophy than by considering the physical phenomena of a candle.

Michael Faraday

The secret is comprised in three words - Work, finish, publish.

Michael Faraday

No wonder that my remembrance fails me, for I shall complete my 70 years next Sunday (the 22); - and during these 70 years I have had a happy life; which still remains happy because of hope and content.

Michael Faraday

I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.

Michael Faraday

It is the great beauty of our science, chemistry, that advancement in it, whether in a degree great or small, instead of exhausting the subjects of research, opens the doors to further and more abundant knowledge, overflowing with beauty and utility.

Michael Faraday

Whereas, according to the declaration of that true man of the world Talleyrand, the use of language is to conceal the thoughts; this is to declare in the present instance, when I say I am not able to bear much talking, it means really, and without any mistake, or equivocation, or oblique meaning, or implication, or subterfuge, or omission, that I am not able; being at present rather weak in the head, and able to work no more.

Michael Faraday

One day sir, you may tax it.

Michael Faraday

A man who makes assertions, or draws conclusions, regarding any given case, ought to be competent to investigate it. He has no right to throw the onus on others, declaring it their duly to prove him right or wrong. His duty is to demonstrate the truth of that which he asserts, or to cease from asserting. The men he calls upon to consider and judge have enough to do with themselves, in the examination, correction, or verification of their own views. The world little knows how many of the thoughts and theories which have passed through the mind of a scientific investigator have been crushed in silence and secrecy by his own severe criticism and adverse examination; that in the most successful instances not a tenth of the suggestions, the hopes, the wishes, the preliminary conclusions have been realized.

Michael Faraday

Water is to me, I confess, a phenomenon which continually awakens new feelings of wonder as often as I view it.

Michael Faraday

If you would cause your view ... to be acknowledged by scientific men; you would do a great service to science. If you would even get them to say yes or no to your conclusions it would help to clear the future progress. I believe some hesitate because they do not like their thoughts disturbed.

Michael Faraday

Why, sir, there is every probability that you will soon be able to tax it.

Michael Faraday

I was at first almost frightened when I saw such mathematical force made to bear upon the subject, and then wondered to see that the subject stood it so well.

Michael Faraday

Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties.

Michael Faraday

It is right that we should stand by and act on our principles; but not right to hold them in obstinate blindness, or retain them when proved to be erroneous.

Michael Faraday

I will simply express my strong belief, that that point of self-education which consists in teaching the mind to resist its desires and inclinations, until they are proved to be right, is the most important of all, not only in things of natural philosophy, but in every department of daily life.

Michael Faraday

There's nothing quite as frightening as someone who knows they are right.

Michael Faraday

Nature is our kindest friend and best critic in experimental science if we only allow her intimations to fall unbiased on our minds.

Michael Faraday

I have far more confidence in the one man who works mentally and bodily at a matter than in the six who merely talk about it.

Michael Faraday