Paul Dirac
Predicted antimatter and formulated Dirac equation
Most quoted
"The underlying physical laws necessary for the mathematical theory of a large part of physics and the whole of chemistry are thus completely known, and the difficulty is only that the exact application of these laws leads to equations much too complicated to be soluble. It is the purpose of theoretical physics to show that it is possible to derive, from these equations, the properties of the actual world."
— from Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1929
"The methods of progress in theoretical physics have undergone a vast change during the present century. The classical tradition has been to consider the world to be an association of observable objects (particles, fluids, fields, etc.) moving about according to definite laws of force, so that one could form a mental picture in space and time of the whole scheme."
— from Quantised Singularities in the Electromagnetic Field, 1931
"The most powerful method of advance that can be suggested at present is to employ all the resources of pure mathematics in attempts to perfect and generalise the mathematical formalism that forms the existing basis of theoretical physics, and after each success in this direction, to try to interpret the new mathematical features in terms of physical entities."
— from Quantised Singularities in the Electromagnetic Field, 1931
All quotes by Paul Dirac (692)
Wisdom: Seek beauty, truth will follow.
Interview quote: I am an atheist, but respect religious feelings.
Comeback: To a critic, 'Your equation lacks beauty.'
Science: The anthropic principle explains fine-tuning.
Reflection: Eighty years of fruitful labor.
Key work: Lectures on quantum mechanics.
Speech: The evolution of physical ideas.
Personal: I enjoyed birdwatching in my later years.
Aphorism: The universe rewards the curious mind.
Humor: Dirac never tells jokes; he proves them.
Philosophy: Mathematics is discovered, not invented.
Science observation: Time travel is forbidden by chronology protection.
Life: Regrets are for those who don't try.
Art: The aesthetics of science.
Politics: Global challenges require global science.
Professional: Influenced generations of physicists.
Wisdom: Humility before nature's mysteries.
Letter excerpt: Congratulations on your Nobel, Weisskopf.
Reflection on meaning: The pursuit of knowledge is the meaning.
Joke: What's the difference between God and a physicist? God doesn't think he's Dirac.
Contemporaries of Paul Dirac
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Paul Dirac (1902–1984).