Niels Bohr
Pioneer of quantum theory and atomic structure
Most quoted
"The fact that religions through the ages have spoken in images, parables, and paradoxes means simply that there are no other ways of grasping the reality to which they refer. But that does not mean that it is not a genuine reality. And complementarity, by the way, is not a new invention of mine. It is, in fact, as old as language itself. We have to be clear that when it comes to atoms, language can be used only as poetry. The poet, too, is not nearly so concerned with describing facts as with creating images and establishing connections."
— from Interview with Aage Petersen
"The fact that religions through the ages have spoken in images, parables, and paradoxes means simply that there are no other ways of grasping the reality to which they refer. But that does not mean that it is not a genuine reality. And the fact that this reality is not accessible to us in the same way as material reality makes it no less real."
— from Attributed
"The very nature of the quantum theory thus forces us to regard the space-time co-ordination and the claim of causality, the union of which characterizes the classical theories, as complementary but exclusive features of the description, symbolizing the idealization of observation and definition respectively."
— from Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature, 1929
All quotes by Niels Bohr (768)
In physics we deal with probabilities, not certainties, and with the outcome of a great number of trials.
Science is the search for truth, it is not a game.
One must face the possibility that reality is not what it seems.
The atom is the fundamental unit of matter, but its behavior defies classical intuition.
Quantum theory reminds us that the world is full of surprises.
Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom.
In complementarity, we find the key to understanding the quantum world.
The human mind is not capable of grasping the Universe. We are like a little child entering a huge library.
Physics is the study of the possible.
Doubt is the origin of wisdom.
The pursuit of science is a noble endeavor.
We must learn to live with uncertainty.
The complementarity principle is the heart of quantum mechanics.
Life is like a bicycle; to keep balance, you must keep moving.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
In science, we must be prepared for the unexpected.
The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.
Quantum mechanics is a challenge to our intuition.
Truth is the aim of science.
The observer plays a crucial role in quantum events.
Contemporaries of Niels Bohr
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Niels Bohr (1885–1962).