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We are trapped by language to such a degree that every attempt to formulate insight is a play on words.

Niels Bohr

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Niels Bohr
Age: 77 †
Born: 1885
Born: October 7
Died: 1962
Died: November 18
Association Football Player
Chemist
Nuclear Physicist
Philosopher Of Science
Physicist
University Teacher
København
Niels Henrik David Bohr
Nicholas Baker
N. Bohr
Every
Statistics
Attempt
Insight
Degree
Degrees
Words
Language
Formulate
Play
Trapped

More quotes by Niels Bohr

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It is very difficult to make an accurate prediction, especially about the future.
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The meaning of life consists in the fact that it makes no sense to say that life has no meaning.
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No, no, you're not thinking you're just being logical.
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You must come to Copenhagen to work with us. We like people who can actually perform thought experiments!
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A deep truth is a truth so deep that not only is it true but it's exact opposite is also true.
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Anybody who is not shocked by this subject has failed to understand it. [of quantum mechanics]
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A physicist visits a colleague and notices a horseshoe hanging on the wall above the entrance. 'Do you really believe that a horseshoe brings luck?' he asks. 'No,' replies the colleague, 'but I've been told that it works even if you don't believe in it.'
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There are trivial truths and the great truths. The opposite of a trivial truth is plainly false. The opposite of a great truth is also true.
Niels Bohr
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Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.
Niels Bohr
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If you aren't confused by quantum mechanics, you haven't really understood it.
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Nothing exists until it is measured.
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If you have a correct statement, then the opposite of a correct statement is of course an incorrect statement, a wrong statement. But when you have a deep truth, then the opposite of a deep truth may again be a deep truth.
Niels Bohr
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Some subjects are so serious that one can only joke about them.
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You can recognize a small truth because its opposite is a falsehood. The opposite of a great truth is another truth.
Niels Bohr
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A visitor to Niels Bohr's country cottage, noticing a horseshoe hanging on the wall, teasing the eminent scientist about this ancient superstition. Can it be true that you, of all people, believe it will bring you luck?' 'Of course not,' replied Bohr, 'but I understand it brings you luck whether you believe it or not.'
Niels Bohr
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There is no hope for any speculation that does not look absurd at first glance.
Niels Bohr
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It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how nature is. Physics concerns what we say about nature.
Niels Bohr
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When it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry. The poet, too, is not nearly so concerned with describing facts as with creating images and establishing mental connections.
Niels Bohr
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In physics we deal with states of affairs much simpler than those of psychology and yet we again and again learn that our task is not to investigate the essence of things-we do not at all know what this would mean&mashbut to develop those concepts that allow us to speak with each other about the events of nature in a fruitful manner.
Niels Bohr
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Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.
Niels Bohr