Max Planck
Originated quantum theory with energy quanta
Most quoted
"The quantum theory is a theory of the elementary quanta of the cosmos and the chaos, the light and the darkness, the good and the evil, the life and the death, the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, the past, the present, and the future, the here and the now, the everywhere and the always, the visible and the invisible, the known and the unknown, the finite and the infinite, the possible and the impossible, the necessary and the contingent, the universal and the particular, the general and the specific, the abstract and the concrete, the simple and the complex, the whole and the part, the one and the many, the same and the different, the identity and the difference, the unity and the multiplicity, the order and the chaos, the harmony and the discord, all things and nothing, being and non-being, existence and non-existence, reality and unreality, truth and falsehood, knowledge and ignorance, wisdom and folly, beauty and ugliness, good and evil, morality and immorality, ethics and unethics, religion and irreligion, spirituality and materialism, God and atheism, the universe and the void."
— from The Origin and Development of the Quantum Theory, 1920
"The quantum theory is a theory of the elementary quanta of the cosmos and the chaos, the light and the darkness, the good and the evil, the life and the death, the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, the past, the present, and the future, the here and the now, the everywhere and the always, the visible and the invisible, the known and the unknown, the finite and the infinite, the possible and the impossible, the necessary and the contingent, the universal and the particular, the general and the specific, the abstract and the concrete, the simple and the complex, the whole and the part, the one and the many, the same and the different, the identity and the difference, the unity and the multiplicity, the order and the chaos, the harmony and the discord."
— from The Origin and Development of the Quantum Theory, 1920
"My original decision to devote myself to science was a direct result of the discovery which has never ceased to fill me with enthusiasm since my early youth - the comprehension of the far from obvious fact that the laws of human reasoning coincide with the laws governing the sequences of the impressions we receive from the world about us; that, therefore, pure reasoning can enable man to gain an insight into the mechanism of the latter. In that sense, it is obvious that science cannot be neutral, and cannot be isolated from life."
— from Scientific Autobiography, 1949
All quotes by Max Planck (661)
The scientist's task is to find order in the chaos of nature.
The quantum theory has given us a new insight into the structure of matter and radiation, and has opened up new avenues of research.
The world is full of wonders, and the greatest wonder of all is the human mind.
The true scientist is a man of faith, for he believes in the order and harmony of the universe.
The quantum of action is a universal constant of nature, and its discovery marks a turning point in the history of physics.
The greatest joy of a scientist is to discover a new truth, no matter how small.
The human mind is capable of understanding the most complex phenomena of nature.
The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor, and it is the duty of every scientist to contribute to it.
The future of science depends on the courage and creativity of young scientists.
The ultimate goal of science is to understand the universe in its entirety.
The beauty of science lies in its ability to reveal the hidden order of the universe.
The scientist must be a humble seeker of truth, always open to new ideas and discoveries.
The quantum theory is a revolutionary theory that has changed our understanding of the physical world.
The most profound discoveries in science often come from unexpected directions.
The scientific method is the most reliable way to acquire knowledge about the natural world.
The universe is a vast and mysterious place, and there is still much to learn about it.
The human spirit is capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how great.
The pursuit of truth is a lifelong journey, and it is a journey that is well worth taking.
The greatest challenge facing humanity is to find a way to live in harmony with nature.
The power of human reason is immense, and it is capable of solving the most complex problems.
Contemporaries of Max Planck
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Max Planck (1858–1947).