It is not possible to be a scientist unless you believe that it is good to learn... that it is of the highest value to share your knowledge... with anyone who is interested... that the knowledge of the world, and the power which this gives, is a thing which is of intrinsic value to humanity

Taken as a story of human achievement, and human blindness, the discoveries in the sciences are among the great epics.

Science starts with preconception, with the common culture, and with common sense. It moves on to observation, is marked by the discovery of paradox, and is then concerned with the correction of preconception. It moves then to use these corrections for the designing of further observation and for more refined experiment. And as it moves along this course the nature of the evidence and experience that nourish it becomes more and more unfamiliar; it is not just the language that is strange [to common culture].

We hunger for nobility: the rare words and acts that harmonize simplicity and truth.

Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search.

When you see something that is technically sweet you go ahead and do it.

The history of science is rich in example of the fruitfulness of bringing two sets of techniques, two sets of ideas, developed in separate contexts for the pursuit of new truth, into touch with one another.