James Hutton quotes

Born
3 June 1726, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

Died
26 March 1797.

Occupation
Geologist, physician.

James Hutton was a Scottish geologist, physician, chemical manufacturer, naturalist, and experimental agriculturalist. He originated the theory of uniformitarianism—a fundamental principle of geology—that explains the features of the Earth’s crust.

In matters of science, curiosity gratified begets not indolence, but new desires.
– James Hutton

There is no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end.
– James Hutton

With such wisdom has nature ordered things in the economy of this world, that the destruction of one continent is not brought about without the renovation of the earth in the production of another.
– James Hutton

It is the little causes, long continued, which are considered as bringing about the greatest changes of the earth.
– James Hutton

The past history of our globe must be explained by what can be seen to be happening now. No powers are to be employed that are not natural to the globe, no action to be admitted except those of which we know the principle.
– James Hutton

A soil adapted to the growth of plants, is necessarily prepared and carefully preserved; and, in the necessary waste of land which is inhabited, the foundation is laid for future continents, in order to support the system of the living world.
– James Hutton

The result, therefore, of this physical enquiry is that we find no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end.
– James Hutton

The globe of this earth… is… not just a machine but also a organised body as it has a regenerative power.
– James Hutton

Error, never can be consistent, nor can truth fail of having support from the accurate examination of every circumstance.
– James Hutton