Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Dr. Henry Jekyll Quotes

"It is well," replied my visitor. "Lanyon, you remember your vows: what follows is under the seal of our profession. And now, you who have so long been bound to the most narrow and material views, you who have denied the virtue of transcendental medicine, you who have derided your superiors—behold!" (9.30)

Dr. Lanyon adheres to a more rational brand of science, which is eventually blasted apart by Mr. Hyde’s transformation.

Dr. Henry Jekyll

Quote 47

For two good reasons, I will not enter deeply into this scientific branch of my confession. First, because I have been made to learn that the doom and burthen of our life is bound for ever on man's shoulders, and when the attempt is made to cast it off, it but returns upon us with more unfamiliar and more awful pressure. Second, because, as my narrative will make, alas! too evident, my discoveries were incomplete. Enough then, that I not only recognised my natural body from the mere aura and effulgence of certain of the powers that made up my spirit, but managed to compound a drug by which these powers should be dethroned from their supremacy, and a second form and countenance substituted, none the less natural to me because they were the expression, and bore the stamp of lower elements in my soul. (10.2)

Stevenson understandably omits the details of Jekyll’s scientific process, again allowing our imaginations to do the work.

Dr. Henry Jekyll

Quote 48

I declare, at least, before God, no man morally sane could have been guilty of that crime upon so pitiful a provocation. (10.18)

God is named as the ultimate arbiter of guilt and innocence.