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)

The experimental approach is the only way to make progress in physiology.

Letter to a student

I have always tried to be a good teacher, to inspire my students to pursue science.

Personal notes

The Nobel Prize is a great honor, but the real reward is the joy of discovery.

Letter after Nobel Prize 1904

I am a materialist. I believe that everything can be explained by physical and chemical laws.

Diary entry

The study of reflexes is the foundation of all physiological research.

Letter to a colleague

I have always been fascinated by the complexity of living organisms.

Personal notes

The future of psychology lies in its integration with physiology.

Letter to a friend

Patience and perseverance are essential for any scientist.

Letter to a student

I have dedicated my life to the service of science and humanity.

Diary entry

The scientific truth is always simple and clear.

Letter to a colleague

I am a firm believer in the power of observation and experiment.

Personal notes

The study of the brain is the most important task facing humanity.

Diary entry

I have always tried to be honest and straightforward in my dealings with others.

Letter to a friend

The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor.

Personal notes

I am a scientist, not a politician. My only concern is the truth.

Letter during political turmoil

The human organism is a self-regulating system.

Diary entry

I have always been a hard worker. There is no substitute for hard work.

Letter to a student

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

Personal notes (often attributed to Einstein, but similar sentiments found in Pavlov's writings on wonder)

The scientific method is a powerful tool, but it is only as good as the person wielding it.

Letter to a colleague

I have always strived for clarity and precision in my scientific writing.

Diary entry