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 fundamental problem is to understand the forces between the elementary particles.
I am not a genius. I am just a curious man.
The future of nuclear energy depends on the solution of many problems, not only scientific and technical but also economic and social.
We have to be very careful not to make mistakes, because the consequences could be very serious.
The development of atomic energy is an adventure into the unknown.
The most important thing is to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve.
It is important to keep an open mind and to be willing to change your ideas if new evidence comes to light.
I believe that the scientific method is the best way to understand the world around us.
The universe is full of mysteries, and it is our job to try to unravel them.
Physics is not just a collection of facts; it is a way of thinking.
We are just scratching the surface of what there is to know.
The greatest challenge in science is to simplify complex phenomena.
The atom is a very small thing, but it contains a lot of energy.
The future of humanity depends on our ability to use science wisely.
It is important to teach young people to think critically and to question everything.
The world is full of interesting problems waiting to be solved.
I have done my part. Now it is up to others.
The bomb is not a weapon of war. It is a weapon of terror.
The most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing.
It is a great privilege to be a scientist.
Contemporaries of Enrico Fermi
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Enrico Fermi (1901–1954).