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)
Knowledge is power, but wisdom is control.
The photoelectric effect confirms quanta.
Love and knowledge are inseparable.
The quantum postulate is revolutionary.
Doubt leads to inquiry, inquiry to truth.
The world needs more light, less heat in debates.
Bohr's observation: Classical physics fails at small scales.
The greatest wealth is health of body and mind.
Complementarity is a general feature of nature.
Peace is our most precious possession.
The beauty of theory is in its predictions.
Science is organized skepticism.
The Balmer series fits the model perfectly.
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.
The measurement problem is central to quantum theory.
Humor bridges the gap between minds.
The atom is mostly empty space.
Wisdom comes with the ability to laugh at oneself.
International law must govern atomic energy.
The equation of science is balance.
Contemporaries of Niels Bohr
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Niels Bohr (1885–1962).