We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.

All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child.

We must not forget that when radium was discovered no one knew that it would prove useful in hospitals. The work was one of pure science. And this is a proof that scientific work must not be considered from the point of view of the direct usefulness of it. It must be done for itself, for the beauty of science, and then there is always the chance that a scientific discovery may become like the radium a benefit for humanity.

Each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity.

It is my earnest desire that some of you should carry on this scientific work and keep for your ambition the determination to make a permanent contribution to science.

Now is the time to understand more, so we fear less.

I have frequently been questioned, especially by women, of how I could reconcile family life with a scientific career. Well, it has not been easy.