Ahmed Zewail
He won the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in femtochemistry, observing chemical reactions in real time.
Most quoted
"The difference between a good scientist and a great scientist is that the great one knows when to stop looking for the perfect answer and just publish the darn thing."
— from Advice to Students
"My colleagues sometimes ask why I spend so much time on such tiny things. I tell them, 'Because the big things are just collections of tiny things acting strangely.'"
— from Informal Conversation
"Some people see a glass half empty, others see it half full. I see it as a container with a certain volume of liquid, and I want to know its chemical composition."
— from Informal Chat
All quotes by Ahmed Zewail (419)
Do not be afraid to dream big and to pursue those dreams with passion and perseverance.
The developed and developing worlds must join hands in the quest for knowledge.
In the Middle East, we need a new vision for education and scientific research.
The Nobel Prize is not the end of the journey; it is a new beginning.
Atoms are the alphabet of matter; with femtochemistry, we are learning to read the words.
The time scale of molecular vibrations is the clock of chemistry.
I am a product of both Egyptian roots and American opportunities.
Science, when properly communicated, can inspire generations.
The challenge is to transform developing nations from consumers of knowledge to producers.
In research, there are no shortcuts to understanding nature.
The laser is to femtochemistry what the telescope was to astronomy.
We must invest in the minds of young people; they are the true wealth of nations.
The transition state is no longer a theoretical construct; we can observe it.
True development comes from within, through education and innovation.
The beauty of science is in the 'aha!' moment of discovery.
We are limited only by our imagination and our willingness to work hard.
The 21st century will be the century of biology and the science of complexity.
A scientist must also be a citizen of the world.
The gap between the rich and poor in science is growing, and this is dangerous.
My journey from Damanhur to Stockholm is a testament to the power of education.
Contemporaries of Ahmed Zewail
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Ahmed Zewail (1946–2016).