Don't let me catch anyone talking about the Universe in my department.

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

It was almost as incredible as if you fired a 15-inch shell at a piece of tissue paper and it came back and hit you.

The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing. Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine.

I am a great believer in the simplicity of things and as you probably know I am inclined to hang on to broad & simple ideas like grim death until evidence is too strong for my tenacity.

It is essential for men of science to take an interest in the administration of their own affairs or else the professional civil servant will step in - and then the Lord help you.