We must be clear that when it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry.
In plain words
Atoms are so strange that talking about them is like writing a poem.
Where these words come from
- 55% sureLots of sources credit Niels Bohr with this, and they agree with each other. The book or the speech it first came from hasn't turned up yet.
- Reported from Bohr's 1920 meeting with Heisenberg (Discussions about Language, 1933, via later secondary works) — recollection chain, not Bohr's own writing
- 1920 · talking with Werner Heisenberg about how to describe atoms
More on wisdom
A single conversation with a wise man is worth a month's study of books.Chinese proverbFiction is Truth's elder sister.
Rudyard KiplingReading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.
Francis BaconWhosoever studies works of science must, if he wants to find the truth, transform himself into a critic of everything he reads.
Ibn al-HaythamYou can't judge a book by its cover.English proverbIn the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Sun Tzu
Rudyard KiplingReading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.Francis BaconWhosoever studies works of science must, if he wants to find the truth, transform himself into a critic of everything he reads.Ibn al-HaythamYou can't judge a book by its cover.English proverbIn the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.Sun TzuMore science
See allNothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.
Marie CurieOne never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.Marie CurieBe less curious about people and more curious about ideas.Marie CurieLook deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
Albert EinsteinThe important thing is not to stop questioning.Albert EinsteinImagination is more important than knowledge.Albert Einstein
Marie CurieOne never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.Marie CurieBe less curious about people and more curious about ideas.Marie CurieLook deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.Albert EinsteinThe important thing is not to stop questioning.Albert EinsteinImagination is more important than knowledge.Albert Einstein