Quotes About Function

The gene is a long-lived replicator, existing in the form of many duplicate copies. It is not infinitely long-lived. Even a diamond is not literally everlasting, and even a cistron can be cut in two by crossing-over. The gene is defined as a piece of chromosome which is sufficiently short for it to last, potentially, for long enough for it to function as a significant unit of natural selection.

Functionally speaking, too, genes are gregarious. They have phenotypic effects on bodies, but they do not do so in isolation. I stress this over and over again in this book.

The meaningless wordplays of modish francophone savants, splendidly exposed in Alan Sokal and Jean Bricmont's Intellectual Impostures (1998), seem to have no other function than to impress the gullible.

A weapon—any weapon—is a tool, she told us. Cradled in her arms was a Sunjet particle gun. Designed for a specific purpose, just as any tool is, and only useful in that purpose. You would think a man a fool to carry a force hammer with him everywhere simply because he is an engineer

Style is a function of theme. Style is not imposed on subject-matter, but arises from it. Style is truth to thought.

The future is merely a function of the past. There could be no plan of action tomorrow for a mask that had been alive not yet twenty-four hours. The human social equation, in short, is, like a child, too unrestricted.

The purchase and sale of slaves is also in its form a purchase and sale of commodities. Without the existence of slaves, however, money cannot fulfil this function. If there is slavery, then money can be spent on the acquisition of slaves. But money in the hand of the buyer is in no way a sufficient condition for the existence of slavery.

We're just cogs in a machine really, aren't we? Miss Fawcett said to her and Ursula said, But remember, without the cog there is no machine.

Idealism and science continue to function in separate compartments; and yet 'the happiness of man on earth' depends upon their combination.

Once I establish credit, I may be able to function. A man needs credit. Especially when he has no money.

Men are just like unlit lamps: in themselves they are no good for anything, but, when lit, they can be handy to have around the house.

Each man has some part to play.

Come to think of it, just about every tool was shaped like either a weenie or a pistol, depending on your point of view.

To be honest, I don't have data in my brain of how a relationship with a man is supposed to function.

So long as man is protected by madness - he functions - and flourishes.

Perverted pride is a great misfortune in men; but pride in its original function, for which God created it, is indispensable to a proper manhood.

The avant-garde and the beatniks share in the function of entertaining without endangering the good conscience of the men of good will.

In constant pursuit of money to finance campaigns, the political system is simply unable to function. Its deliberative powers are paralyzed.

You have to have a government that does give both money and energy to function in a leadership role modeling giving for the people. Government is supposed to lead by example in many cases.

Morality and its victim, the mother - what a terrible picture! Is there indeed anything more terrible, more criminal, than our glorified sacred function of motherhood?

Clarinets, like lawyers, have cases, mouthpieces, and they need a constant supply of hot air in order to function.

Reading is more of a left-brain process, and listening to music is a right-brain function.

There are no hierarchies in nature other than those imposed by hierarchical modes of human thought, but rather differences merely in function between and within living things.

God and nature create nothing that does not fulfill a purpose