Max Born
Made fundamental contributions to quantum mechanics, particularly the Born rule for calculating probabilities.
Most quoted
"It is natural that a man should consider the work of his hands or his brain to be useful and important. Therefore nobody will object to an ardent experimentalist boasting of his measurements and rather looking down on the 'paper and ink' physics of his theoretical friend, who on his part is proud of his lofty ideas and despises the dirty fingers of the other."
— from Experiment and Theory in Physics, 1943
"The human race has today the means for annihilating itself—either in a fit of complete lunacy, i.e., in a big war, by a brief fit of destruction, or by a careless handling of atomic technology, through a slow process of poisoning and of deterioration in its genetic structure."
— from Letter, 1957
"The human race has today the means for annihilating itself—either in a fit of complete lunacy, i.e., in a big war, by a brief fit of destruction, or by careless handling of atomic technology, through a slow process of poisoning and of deterioration in its genetic structure."
— from Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge, 1957
All quotes by Max Born (371)
The quantum theory is a revolutionary theory that has changed our understanding of the world.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
The scientist must be a poet in his heart.
The most important thing is to never stop questioning.
The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
The laws of nature are but the mathematical thoughts of God.
The only way to do great work is to be truly passionate about what you do.
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.
The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
The only source of knowledge is experience.
The aim of science is to seek the simplest explanations of complex facts.
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
The creative scientist is a man who has a child's wonder and a man's reason.
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious.
The scientist's aim is to understand the world, not to change it.
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
The true scientist is a man who is not afraid to be wrong.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Contemporaries of Max Born
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Max Born (1882–1970).