You should never bet against anything in science at odds of more than about 10-12 to 1.

All of physics is either impossible or trivial. It is impossible until you understand it, and then it becomes trivial.

[From uranium] there are present at least two distinct types of radiation one that is very readily absorbed, which will be termed for convenience the α radiation, and the other of a more penetrative character, which will be termed the β radiation.

The year 1896 ... marked the beginning of what has been aptly termed the heroic age of Physical Science. Never before in the history of physics has there been witnessed such a period of intense activity when discoveries of fundamental importance have followed one another with such bewildering rapidity.

Now I know what the atom looks like.

I've just finished reading some of my early papers, and you know, when I'd finished I said to myself, 'Rutherford, my boy, you used to be a damned clever fellow.' (1911)

All scientific men will be delighted to extend their warmest congratulations to Tesla and to express their appreciation of his great contributions to science.