The Autobiography of Charles Darwin

From The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin

Edited by his Son

Francis Darwin

My habits are methodical, and this has been of not a little use

for my particular line of work. Lastly, I have had ample leisure

from not having to earn my own bread. Even ill-health, though it

has annihilated several years of my life, has saved me from the

distractions of society and amusement.

Therefore my success as a man of science, whatever this may have

amounted to, has been determined, as far as I can judge, by

complex and diversified mental qualities and conditions. Of

these, the most important have been--the love of science--

unbounded patience in long reflecting over any subject--industry

in observing and collecting facts--and a fair share of invention

as well as of common sense. With such moderate abilities as I

possess, it is truly surprising that I should have influenced to

a considerable extent important points.