An alleged scientific discovery has no merit unless it can be explained to a barmaid.

We are rather like children, who must take a watch to pieces to see how it works.

You know, I am sorry for the poor fellows that haven't got labs to work in.

If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.

We haven't got the money, so we've got to think.

Gentlemen, we have run out of money. It is time to start thinking.

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)