“The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think”

“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”

“Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children.”

“I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.”

“I fully agree with you about the significance and educational value of methodology as well as history and philosophy of science. So many people today - and even professional scientists - seem to me like somebody who has seen thousands of trees but has never seen a forest. A knowledge of the historic and philosophical background gives that kind of independence from prejudices of his generation from which most scientists are suffering. This independence created by philosophical insight is - in my opinion - the mark of distinction between a mere artisan or specialist and a real seeker after truth.[Correspondance to Robert Thorton in 1944]”

“Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value, to which all other values are subordinate.”

“It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.”