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)
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
The only source of knowledge is experience.
The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.
Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
The only way to escape the corruptible effect of praise is to go on working.
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
I am working on a problem that is very interesting and I hope to have some results soon.
The work here is progressing well, and I am quite satisfied with the results.
I am very happy with my life here in America. The opportunities are immense.
The atomic bomb is a terrible weapon, but it was necessary to end the war.
I believe that science should be used for the good of humanity, not for destruction.
The future of physics is bright, and I am excited to see what new discoveries will be made.
My dear Laura, I miss you terribly and wish you were here with me.
The work on the reactor is going well, and we are making good progress.
I am always looking for new challenges and new problems to solve.
The beauty of physics lies in its ability to explain the universe around us.
I am deeply concerned about the political situation in Europe.
Contemporaries of Enrico Fermi
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Enrico Fermi (1901–1954).