I have a son. I love my son. I want everything that I do to be so safe that I would be happy to have my son operating it. That's my fundamental rule.

Those involved with practical reactors, humbled by their experiences, speak less and worry more.

When doing a job — any job — one must feel that he owns it, and act as though he will remain in that job forever.

Nothing so sharpens the thought process as writing down one's arguments. Weaknesses overlooked in oral discussion become painfully obvious on the written page.

Optimism and stupidity are nearly synonymous.

The tools of the academic designer are a piece of paper and a pencil with an eraser. If a mistake is made, it can always be erased and changed. If the practical-reactor designer errs, he wears the mistake around his neck; it cannot be erased. Everyone sees it.

Good ideas and innovations must be driven into existence by courage and patience.