If an organised body is not in the situation and…
“If an organised body is not in the situation and circumstances best adapted to its sustenance and propagation, then, in conceiving an indefinite variety among the individuals of that species, we must be assured, that, on the one hand, those which depart most from the best adapted constitution, will be most liable to perish, while, on the other hand, those organised bodies, which most approach to the best constitution for the present circumstances, will be best adapted to continue, in preserving themselves and multiplying the individuals of their race.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Organisms best suited to current conditions survive and reproduce, while poorly adapted ones tend to die out, driving evolutionary change.
In simple terms: Fit organisms survive; unfit die.
Key Takeaway
Adapt to your environment.
Themes
evolution
survival
adaptation
natural selection
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- conservation
- agriculture
- public health
- climate change
Key Concepts
biology
ecology
fitness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we help species adapt quickly?
- What responsibilities do humans have in aiding adaptation?
A Different Perspective
Adaptation may lag behind rapid environmental shifts.