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)
Life is a journey of discovery.
Paradoxes are the beginning of deep understanding.
The atom bomb changed the world forever.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Quantum entanglement defies space and time.
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose is to give it away.
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
The principles of quantum mechanics are universal.
Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
The arts appeal to the imagination, science to reason.
A sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to our steps.
The frequency of light is related to energy by E = hν.
Reflection is the lamp of the heart.
The open society is the foundation of progress.
Curiosity is the engine of achievement.
In the quantum world, particles are waves and waves are particles.
The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.
Life's challenges build character.
The hydrogen atom is the simplest system to study.
Humor helps us cope with the absurdities of life.
Contemporaries of Niels Bohr
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Niels Bohr (1885–1962).