Enrico Fermi
Created first nuclear reactor, contributed to quantum theory
Most quoted
"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
— from Attributed
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day."
— from Attributed
"Before we knew anything about the structure of the nucleus, we knew that it was very small. And we knew that it was very heavy. And we knew that it was very stable. And we knew that it was very energetic. And we knew that it was very mysterious."
— from Attributed
All quotes by Enrico Fermi (565)
Every great discovery starts with a question.
Do not fear failure; it is the teacher of success.
Quantum theory is counterintuitive, but reality often is.
Collaboration is the engine of progress in physics.
The joy of discovery outweighs any hardship.
Atoms dance to the tune of fundamental forces.
Skepticism is the scientist's best friend.
The Manhattan Project taught us the power and peril of science.
Innovation requires bold thinking.
In science, as in life, persistence pays off.
The Fermi-Dirac statistics revolutionized our understanding of particles.
Laughter lightens the load of intellectual labor.
Our knowledge is a drop in the ocean of the unknown.
Beta decay is a window into the weak force.
Friends, this is the end of the war.
Teaching is as much an art as science.
The cosmos whispers secrets to those who listen.
Errors in calculation are stepping stones to truth.
The Nobel Prize is an honor, but work continues.
Humanity's future depends on wise use of atomic energy.
Contemporaries of Enrico Fermi
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Enrico Fermi (1901–1954).