Ivan Pavlov

Psychology Russian 1849 – 1936 368 quotes

Discovered classical conditioning

Most quoted

"Thanks to our recent works, the physiology of the brain has been advanced to a new stage, and the study of the highest part of the nervous system, which is of such colossal importance to man, has been placed on a solid foundation of exact knowledge."

— from Nobel Lecture, 1904

"One can truly say that the irresistible progress of natural science since the time of Galileo has made its first halt before the study of the higher parts of the brain, the organ of the most complicated relations of the animal to the external world."

— from Scientific Study of the So-Called Psychical Processes in the Higher Animals, 1909

"The physiologist who succeeds in penetrating deeper and deeper into the digestive canal becomes convinced that it consists of a number of chemical laboratories equipped with various mechanical devices."

— from Nobel Lecture, 1904

All quotes by Ivan Pavlov (368)

Science is a journey, not a destination.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good musician. He always sings along with you.

Biographical accounts

The future of science depends on the young generation.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good artist. He always leaves his mark on your heart.

Biographical accounts

The scientist must be a dreamer, but also a realist.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good teacher of unconditional love.

Biographical accounts

The more you know, the more you realize you don't know.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good example of how to live in the moment.

Biographical accounts

The greatest discovery is to find yourself.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good reminder that life is simple.

Biographical accounts

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good companion for a lonely scientist.

Biographical accounts

The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you get up to speak in public.

Attributed, likely apocryphal but fits his wit

If you want to understand the human, study the animal. If you want to understand the animal, study the human.

Biographical accounts

The dog's tail is a very expressive organ. It tells you everything you need to know.

Biographical accounts

The scientist's greatest tool is his imagination, but his greatest discipline is his observation.

Lectures and writings

The dog is a very good critic. He always lets you know if your experiment is boring.

Biographical accounts

Don't be a parrot, be a scientist.

Biographical accounts

Never think that you know everything. However highly you are appraised, always have the courage to say to yourself: I am ignorant.

Unknown

Don't let the facts go by. Don't try to cover up your mistakes. Be honest with yourself and with others.

Unknown