Organic chemistry in the words of E. J. Corey

I must start with the fact that Organic Chemistry is the fundamental language of life, since all life involves organic molecules, their interactions, and transformations. It provides a firm foundation for biology and medicine and the tools to develop new medicines and therapies. Although Organic Chemistry is rich in information, it also conforms to a set of principles and an inner logic that is stunningly beautiful to those who know the subject. The actors of organic chemistry (molecules) and their behavior (reactions) can be described by a powerful and beautiful graphical language, consisting of two- and three-dimensional chemical formulas that express the

atoms, bonds, electrons, charges, and geometries that characterize their structures. Indeed, this formula notation is so powerful that a trained organic chemist can tell at a glance much about the chemistry and reactivity of a molecule and even how it might be made from simpler substances.

                                                                                                                 - E. J. Corey