Phosphorus Quotes

“About eight days ago I discovered that sulfur in burning, far from losing weight, on the contrary, gains it; it is the same with phosphorus; this increase of weight arises from a prodigious quantity of air that is fixed during combustion and combines with the vapors. This discovery, which I have established by experiments, that I regard as decisive, has led me to think that what is observed in the combustion of sulfur and phosphorus may well take place in the case of all substances that gain in weight by combustion and calcination; and I am persuaded that the increase in weight of metallic calyxes is due to the same cause... This discovery seems to me one of the most interesting that has been made since Stahl and since it is difficult not to disclose something inadvertently in conversation with friends that could lead to the truth I have thought it necessary to make the present deposit to the Secretary of the Academy to await the time I make my experiments public.”
― Antoine Lavoisier

“The name explains the structure: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen bond into a ring-shaped structure called a cresol (also found in creosote), and phosphorus hangs on to the ring like an exhausted swimmer gripping a life preserver.”
― Deborah Blum, The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

“Kula sana kunaweza kusababisha virutubisho kuzidi mwilini zaidi ya kiwango kinachohitajika na mwili, ambavyo baadaye vinaweza kusababisha madhara ya papo kwa hapo kama tumbo kuuma au tumbo kujaa gesi! Baada ya muda mrefu wingi wa virutubisho hivi unaweza kuingiliana na ufyonzaji wa madini kama fosforasi, kalisi, magnesi, chuma, na zinki, hali inayoweza kusababisha upungufu mkubwa wa virutubisho, unaoweza kusababisha kifo.”
― Enock Maregesi

“Ohne Phosphor kein Gedanke.”
― Jakob Moleschott, Lehre der Nahrungsmittel: Für das Volk (Classic Reprint)

“I saw an exhibition of paintings of alchemists once,’ said Ruth. ‘It used to be a popular setpiece. There was one I liked by Joseph Wright of Derby―of an alchemist who’d accidentally discovered phosphorus. He’s just crouching there, staring in amazement at his test tube or alembic, or whatever you call it. A bloody good painting, actually.”
― Adrian Mathews, The Apothecary’s House