Gregor Mendel

Father of genetics

Modern influential 66 sayings

Sayings by Gregor Mendel

The characters of the two parental forms are transmitted to the hybrid in an unchanged form.

1865 — Paper presented to the Brünn Natural History Society
Controversial Unverifiable

The constant characters are those which are transmitted unchanged from the parental plants to the offspring.

1865 — Paper presented to the Brünn Natural History Society
Controversial Unverifiable

The experiments lead to the conclusion that the characters of the two parental forms are transmitted to the hybrid unchanged.

1865 — Paper presented to the Brünn Natural History Society
Controversial Unverifiable

I hope that my experiments will furnish a new basis for the study of the history of the organic forms.

1867 — Letter to Carl Nägeli
Controversial Unverifiable

The experiments have been carried out on a small scale, but the results are clear and unambiguous.

1865 — Paper presented to the Brünn Natural History Society
Controversial Unverifiable

I am convinced that it will not be long before the whole world acknowledges the results of my work.

Approx. 1860s-1880s — Statement about his research
Humorous Confirmed

To live without experiencing some shame and blushes of admiration would surely be a wretched life.

Unknown, general attribution — Philosophical reflection
Humorous Unverifiable

You should regard the numerical expressions as being only empirical, because they can not be proved rational.

1866-1873 — From a letter to Carl Nägeli
Humorous Unverifiable

The value and utility of any experiment are determined by the fitness of the material to the purpose for which it is used.

1865 — From his paper 'Experiments in Plant Hybridization'
Controversial Unverifiable

It requires indeed some courage to undertake a labor of such far-reaching extent.

1865 — Reflecting on the scale of his pea plant experiments
Controversial Unverifiable

My experiments with single traits all lead to the same result: that from the seeds of hybrids, plants are obtained half of which in turn carry the hybrid trait (Aa), the other half, however, receive the parental traits A and a in equal amounts.

1866 — Letter to Carl Nägeli
Shocking Unverifiable

Thus, on the average, among four plants two have the hybrid trait Aa, one the parental trait A, and the other the parental trait a. Therefore, 2Aa+ A +a or A + 2Aa + a is the empirical simple series for two differing traits.

1866 — Letter to Carl Nägeli
Shocking Unverifiable

The value and utility of any experiment are determined by the fitness of the material to the purpose for which it is used, and thus in the case before us it cannot be immaterial what plants are subjected to experiment and in what manner such experiment is conducted.

1865 — Experiments on Plant Hybridization
Shocking Unverifiable

Jesus let the infidels and Jews aside, he appeared only to the chosen apostles, he was concerned only with the faithful believers. To these he taught, rebuked, and sanctified, in order to perfect them to perfect the saints. This not only made sin and death be taken away from us, but by the resurrection of the Son of God grace was also obtained.

Undated, found in his writings — A theological reflection, showing his religious perspective
Shocking Unverifiable

That no generally applicable law of the formulation and development of hybrids has yet been successfully formulated can hardly astonish anyone who is acquainted with the extent of the task and who can appreciate the difficulties with which experiments of this kind have to contend.

1865 — From 'Experiments on Plant Hybridization', emphasizing the complexity of the scientific problem.
Philosophical Unverifiable

It requires indeed some courage to undertake a labor of such far-reaching extent; this appears, however, to be the only right way by which we can finally reach the solution of a question the importance of which cannot be overestimated in connection with the history of the evolution of organic forms.

1865 — Introduction to 'Experiments on Plant Hybridization', highlighting the ambition and significance of …
Philosophical Unverifiable

My scientific work brought me such satisfaction, and I am convinced the entire World will recognize the results of these studies.

c. 1883-1884 — A quote attributed to him in his final years, emphasizing personal satisfaction and future recogniti…
Philosophical Unverifiable

It is willingly granted that by cultivation the origination of new varieties is favored, and that by man's labor many varieties are acquired which, under natural conditions, would be lost; but nothing justifies the assumption that the tendency to formation of varieties is so extraordinarily increased that the species speedily lose all stability, and their offspring diverge into an endless series of extremely variable forms.

1865 — From 'Experiments on Plant Hybridization', discussing the limits of variability and stability of spe…
Philosophical Unverifiable

I have experienced many a bitter hour in my life. Nevertheless, I admit gratefully that the beautiful, good hours far outnumbered the others.

c. 1883-1884 — From his final reflections, shared with a fellow monk.
Philosophical Unverifiable

Man must contribute his minimum work of toil, and God gives the growth. Truly, the seed, the talent, the grace of God is there, and man has simply to work, take the seeds to bring them to the bankers.

Post-1867 — Excerpt from a sermon on Easter, after he became an abbot.
Philosophical Unverifiable