To ascend to the origin of things and speculate on the creation, is not the business of the natural philosopher. An humbler field is sufficient for h… - John Frederick William Herschel

To the natural philosopher there is no natural object unimportant or trifling. From the least of nature's works he may learn the greatest lessons.

God knows how ardently I wish I had ten lives

The question "cui bono" to what practical end and advantage do your researches tend? is one which the speculative philosopher who loves knowledge for its own sake, and enjoys, as a rational being should enjoy, the mere contemplation of harmonious and mutually dependent truths, can seldom hear without a sense of humiliation. He feels that there is a lofty and disinterested pleasure in his speculations which ought to exempt them from such questioning; communicating as they do to his own mind the purest happiness (after the exercise of the benevolent and moral feelings) of which human nature is susceptible, and tending to the injury of no one, he might surely allege this as a sufficient and direct reply to those who, having themselves little capacity, and less relish for intellectual pursuits, are constantly repeating upon him this enquiry.