Irving Langmuir

The concept of 'pathological science' describes the situation where scientists deceive themselves.

The six characteristics of pathological science are: the maximum effect is produced by a barely detectable cause; the magnitude of the effect is independent of the intensity of the cause; the results are always at the limit of detectability; there are fantastic theories contrary to experience; criticisms are met by ad hoc excuses; and the ratio of supporters to critics rises and then falls.

The history of science shows that the most important discoveries are often made by accident.

The true spirit of science is to question everything.

The greatest reward for a scientist is not recognition, but the satisfaction of understanding.

The world is a laboratory, and we are all experimenters.

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.

The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

The only source of knowledge is experience.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

The best way to predict the future is to create it.