Lev Landau
Made fundamental contributions to many areas of theoretical physics, including quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics, and cosmology.
Most quoted
"There are three kinds of scientists: those who are good at calculations, those who are good at experiments, and those who are good at talking. I belong to the third category."
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science."
All quotes by Lev Landau (306)
Cosmologists are often in error, but never in doubt.
A good theoretical physicist today might find it useful to have a wide knowledge, but only of the last five years.
Electrodynamics is the most perfect physical theory.
The theory of relativity is a beautiful example of a fundamental physical theory.
A method is more important than a discovery, since the right method will lead to new and even more important discoveries.
In science, one should not be afraid to make a mistake. The fear of error is the death of science.
The Lord God made the bulk; surfaces were invented by the devil.
I am a theoretical physicist, not a magician.
A physicist must be absolutely honest. It is better not to say anything than to propagate a falsehood.
The theory of superconductivity is too complicated to be left to the specialists.
Life is made of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.
There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
A genius is someone who can do easily what others find difficult. But talent is doing with ease what is impossible for others.
I have achieved all I wanted in theoretical physics. Now I only want to understand superfluidity.
The second law of thermodynamics is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced will never be overthrown.
Physics is becoming too difficult for the physicists.
The aim of science is not things themselves, but the harmony among things.
A good physicist is a person with original ideas. A great physicist is a person with original and correct ideas.
In the face of the quantum of action, the classical concept of force loses all meaning.
The theory of everything is the ultimate goal of theoretical physics.
Contemporaries of Lev Landau
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Lev Landau (1908–1968).