For women there are, undoubtedly, great difficulties in the path, but so much the more to overcome. First no woman would say "I am but a woman!" But a woman! What more can you ask to be?
There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.
The phrase ‘popular science’ has in itself a touch of absurdity. That knowledge which is popular is not scientific.
I was born, for instance, incapable of appreciating music.
I have just gone over my comet computations again, and it is humiliating to perceive how very little more I know than I did seven years ago when I first did this kind of work.
I have worn myself thin trying to find out about this comet, and I know very little now in the matter.
I saw, in looking over Cooper, elements of a comet of 1825 which resemble what I get out for this, from my own observations, but I cannot rely upon my own.
I am just learning to notice the different colors of the stars, and already begin to have a new enjoyment.
As a general rule, people disappoint you as you know them.
I was a little doubtful about the propriety of going to the Mammoth Cave without a gentleman escort, but if two ladies travel alone they must have the courage of men.
I made observations for three hours last night, and am almost ill today from fatigue; still I have worked all day, trying to reduce the places, and mean to work hard again tonight.
The love of one's own sex is precious, for it is neither provoked by vanity nor retained by flattery; it is genuine and sincere.
The Southern character is opposed to haste. Safety is of more worth than speed, and there is no hurry.
The world of learning is so broad, and the human soul is so limited in power!
Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.
The best that can be said of my life so far is that it has been industrious, and the best that can be said of me is that I have not pretended to what I was not.
A young sailor boy came to see me today. It pleases me to have these lads seek me on their return from their first voyage, and tell me how much they have learned about navigation.
We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry.
I would as soon put a girl alone into a closet to meditate as give her only the society of her needle.
I am just through with a summer, and a summer is to me always a trying ordeal.
