We must not only learn to tolerate our differences. We must welcome them as the richness and diversity which can lead to true intelligence.

My scientific work is motivated by an irresistible longing to understand the secrets of nature and by no other feeling. My love for justice and striving to contribute towards the improvement of human conditions are quite independent from my scientific interests.

Honestly, I cannot understand what people mean when they talk about the freedom of the human will. I have a feeling, for instance, that I will something or other; but what relation this has with freedom I cannot understand at all. I feel that I will to light my pipe and I do it; but how can I connect this up with the idea of freedom? What is behind the act of willing to light the pipe ? Another act of willing?

The Bible is a collection of honorable, but primitive legends which are still nevertheless pretty childish.

The dog is very smart. He feels sorry for me because I receive so much mail; that's why he tries to bite the mailman.

The more one chases the quanta, the better they hide themselves.

I cannot seriously believe in it [quantum theory] because the theory cannot be reconciled with the idea that physics should represent a reality in time and space, free from spooky actions at a distance [spukhafte Fernwirkungen].