“In electron microscopy, the difficulties took considerably more time to surmount, and therefore the doubters held the field for a longer period. I can, however, also confirm from my own experience the observation of my colleagues that the doubt of the others has the advantage of leaving the field uncrowded. Mostly, this is understood only much later, in the beginning one is very disappointed.”
On the advantage of facing doubt when one has discovered something new. Speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1986 http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1986/ruska-speech.html.
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Ernst Ruska2
German physicist 1906–1988Related quotes
Niels Bohr (1885–1962) Danish physicist
As quoted by Edward Teller, in Dr. Edward Teller's Magnificent Obsession by Robert Coughlan, in LIFE magazine (6 September 1954), p. 62 http://books.google.de/books?id=I1QEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62 <br class="br">As quoted by Edward Teller (10 October 1972), and A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (1991) by Alan L. Mackay, p. 35 <br class="br">Variant: An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field.
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Z. Hanfi, trans., in The Fiery Brook (1972), p. 75
Towards a Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy (1839)
Judy LaMarsh (1924–1980) Canadian politician, writer, broadcaster and barrister.
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Source: General System Theory (1968), 4. Advances in General Systems Theory, p. 80
Giordano Bruno (1548–1600) Italian philosopher, mathematician and astronomer
Variant translation: While I venture out beyond this tiny globe
Into reaches past the bounds of starry night
I leave behind what others strain to see afar.
On the Infinite Universe and Worlds (1584)
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Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 163.
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Source: Adventures of a Mathematician - Third Edition (1991), Chapter 7, The University of Wisconsin, p. 125
Bernhard Riemann (1826–1866) German mathematician
Indeed, we must derive the relations of causality from experience; but we must not fail to correct and to complete our conception of these facts of experience by reflection.
Causality
Gesammelte Mathematische Werke (1876)