Wolfgang Pauli

Physics Austrian-American 1900 – 1958 673 quotes

Formulated the exclusion principle

Most quoted

"When I was young, I thought I was the best formalist of my time. I thought I was a revolutionary. When the big problems would come, I would be the one to solve them. But then the great revolution came, it was Heisenberg and Dirac who made it. I was only a classicist."

— from Self-reflection

"The layman always means, when he says 'reality,' that he is speaking of something self-evidently known; whereas to me it seems the most important and exceedingly difficult task of our time is to work on the construction of a new idea of reality."

— from Letter to Markus Fierz, 1954

"A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it."

— from Attributed to Max Planck, but often quoted by Pauli in discussions of scientific change

All quotes by Wolfgang Pauli (673)

The greatest challenge facing humanity is not to conquer nature, but to live in harmony with it.

Informal remark

The meaning of life is not to be found, but to be created.

Informal remark, reflecting existential thought

The only thing that truly matters is love.

Informal remark, reflecting personal values

The universe is full of wonders, and we are only beginning to understand them.

Informal remark

The most profound experiences are those that cannot be put into words.

Discussions with Carl Jung

The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey, and there is no end to it.

Informal remark

The human spirit is indomitable, and it will always strive for something greater.

Informal remark

The greatest gift we can give to others is our presence.

Informal remark

The universe is a symphony, and we are all instruments in it.

Informal remark, reflecting a holistic and spiritual view

The only true freedom is the freedom to be oneself.

Informal remark

The path to enlightenment is not a straight line, but a winding road.

Discussions with Carl Jung

The greatest strength lies in vulnerability.

Informal remark

The universe is a mirror, reflecting our inner world.

Discussions with Carl Jung

The purpose of life is to grow, to learn, and to love.

Informal remark

The greatest adventure is the journey within.

Discussions with Carl Jung

The universe is not indifferent to our existence; it is intimately connected to it.

Informal remark, reflecting a non-dualistic view

The pursuit of beauty is a fundamental human need.

Informal remark

The most important questions are those that have no easy answers.

Informal remark

The human heart is a universe unto itself.

Informal remark

The universe is a dance of creation and destruction.

Informal remark, reflecting cosmic cycles