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Leo Szilard

Leo Szilard Quotes

Physicist

Leo Szilard, born on February 11, 1898 and died on May 30, 1964, was a prominent physicist whose contributions were significant in the fields of nuclear physics and quantum theory. In 1939, he collaborated with Enrico Fermi to propose the theory of nuclear fission chain reaction, which laid the foundation for the development of atomic bombs and nuclear energy technology.

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All Ifs Scientist Thinking Doe Important Done Knows May Steps World Able Bombs Colleagues Decision Effects Enough Genius Jobs Men People

Famous Leo Szilard Quotes

“In life you must often choose between getting a job done or getting credit for it. In science, the most important thing is not the ideas you have but the decision which ones you choose to pursue. If you have an idea and are not doing anything with it, why spoil someone else's fun by publishing it?”

Ifs Important Ideas Done Jobs Fun Decision Important Things Credit Pursue You Choose Publishing Spoil

Author:Leo Szilard

“Three stages of truth for scientists: It's not true. If it is true, it's not very important. We knew it all along.”

Ifs Important Three Stage Scientist

Author:Leo Szilard

“If you want to succeed in the world, you don't have to be much cleverer than other people. You just have to be one day earlier.”

People Ifs World Want One Day Succeed Physics

Book:Toward a Livable World: Leo Szilard and the Crusade for Nuclear Arms Control

Source: Toward a Livable World: Leo Szilard and the Crusade for Nuclear Arms Control

“Don't lie if you don't have to.”

Ifs Lying Don't Lie

Author:Leo Szilard

“If one knows only what one is told, one does not know enough to be able to arrive at a well-balanced decision.”

Ifs Knows Wells Doe Enough Able Decision Balanced

Author:Leo Szilard

“Even if we accept, as the basic tenet of true democracy, that one moron is equal to one genius, is it necessary to go a further step and hold that two morons are better than one genius?”

Ifs Two Accepting Steps Democracy Genius Equal Moron True Democracy

Author:Leo Szilard

“If the thickness is larger than the critical value I can produce an explosion.”

Ifs I Can Values Produce Critical Explosions Thickness

Author:Leo Szilard

“Byrnes... was concerned about Russia's postwar behavior. Russian troops had moved into Hungary and Rumania, and Byrnes thought it would be very difficult to persuade Russia to withdraw her troops from these countries, that Russia might be more manageable if impressed by American military might, and that a demonstration of the bomb might impress Russia.”

Ifs Country Might Would Be Difficult Military Behavior Concerned Moved Russia Bombs Troops Impressed Impress Demonstration Manageable Hungary American Military

Author:Leo Szilard

About the Author

Born: February 11, 1898
Died: May 30, 1964
Known for: Physicist
Quotes: 26

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Books & Sources

The Voice of the Dolphins and Other StoriesRelated source material

Toward a Livable World: Leo Szilard and the Crusade for Nuclear Arms ControlRelated source material

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