Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is a somewhat new kind of religion.
I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is a somewhat new kind of religion.
I made one great mistake in my life - when I signed the letter to [President Franklin D. Roosevelt] ...
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I made one great mistake in my life - when I signed the letter to [President Franklin D. Roosevelt] recommending that atom bombs be made . . . but there was some justification: the danger that the Germans would make them. by Ted Morgan in the book "FDR", Simon & Schuster, 1985]
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I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with stic...
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I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
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If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?
If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.
An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.
I do not much believe in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may b...
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I do not much believe in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may be.
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The eternal mystery of the universe is its comprehensibility.
The eternal mystery of the universe is its comprehensibility.
God does not play dice with the universe.
God does not play dice with the universe.
Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent People Ignore.
Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent People Ignore.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.
I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.
[upon learning of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima] If I had only known, I would have been a watchmak...
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[upon learning of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima] If I had only known, I would have been a watchmaker!
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Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whol...
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Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
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When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fan...
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When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.
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The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax.
The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
There is a race between mankind and the universe. Mankind is trying to build bigger, better, faster,...
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There is a race between mankind and the universe. Mankind is trying to build bigger, better, faster, and more foolproof machines. The universe is trying to build bigger, better, and faster fools. So far the universe is winning.
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[giving the most practical, understandable explanation of the Theory of Relativity; how time can exp...
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[giving the most practical, understandable explanation of the Theory of Relativity; how time can expand or contract] You spend 30 minutes with a beautiful girl, it seems like a moment. You spend a moment sitting on a hot stove, it seems like 30 minutes.
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in "Life" magazine, 9 January 1950] The grand aim of all science is to cover the greatest number of ...
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in "Life" magazine, 9 January 1950] The grand aim of all science is to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest number of hypotheses or axioms.
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I am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being,...
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I am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being, without any special attachment to any state or national entity whatsoever.
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Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18.
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children...
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The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
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[referring to Mohandas K. Gandhi after Gandhi's assassination] Generations to come, it may be, will ...
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[referring to Mohandas K. Gandhi after Gandhi's assassination] Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth!
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The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long ca...
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The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. The wireless is the same, only without the cat.
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As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the customs o...
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As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the customs office I thought deeply about the matter and concluded that it was far too difficult a subject. With some reluctance, I then turned to physics as a substitute.
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The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
If the idea is not at first absurd, then there is no hope for it.
If the idea is not at first absurd, then there is no hope for it.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as th...
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There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
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Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind ...
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I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research.
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If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping you...
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If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.
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Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its life ...
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Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its life thinking its stupid.
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Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.
Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.
If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years but a...
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A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of mother or father taken many years ago. You see them as you remember them. But as people live on, they change completely. That is why I think a photograph can be kind.
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I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth ti...
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I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
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If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
[in 1932] There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It woul...
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[in 1932] There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.
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Before God, we are equally wise--equally foolish.
Before God, we are equally wise--equally foolish.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughte...
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Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
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