Niels Bohr Quotes
Niels Henrik David Bohr was a Danish physicist who made foundational contributions to atomic theory and quantum mechanics. His 1913 model of the hydrogen atom introduced quantization into atomic structure, and his later principles of complementarity and correspondence helped to articulate the philosophical foundations of the new physics. The quotes below are attributed to Niels Bohr, organized by topic.
Niels Bohr on Knowledge
-
Attributed to Niels Bohr:
“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.”
-
Attributed to Niels Bohr:
“Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.”
Niels Bohr on Nature
-
Attributed to Niels Bohr:
“Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it.”
Niels Bohr on Truth
-
Attributed to Niels Bohr:
“The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.”
-
Attributed to Niels Bohr:
“We must be clear that when it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry.”