Niels Bohr

Physics Danish 1885 – 1962 768 quotes

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.

Aphorism

The photoelectric effect confirms quanta.

Influence 1913

Love and knowledge are inseparable.

Letter to family

The quantum postulate is revolutionary.

Lecture 1921

Doubt leads to inquiry, inquiry to truth.

Reflection

The world needs more light, less heat in debates.

Anecdote

Bohr's observation: Classical physics fails at small scales.

Paper 1920

The greatest wealth is health of body and mind.

Advice

Complementarity is a general feature of nature.

Lecture 1933

Peace is our most precious possession.

Speech 1960

The beauty of theory is in its predictions.

Reflection

Science is organized skepticism.

Aphorism

The Balmer series fits the model perfectly.

Calculation 1913

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.

Reflection

The measurement problem is central to quantum theory.

Conference 1927

Humor bridges the gap between minds.

Anecdote

The atom is mostly empty space.

Rutherford model 1911

Wisdom comes with the ability to laugh at oneself.

Personal

International law must govern atomic energy.

Proposal 1946

The equation of science is balance.

Metaphor