The great object is to find the theory of the matter [of X-rays] before anyone else, for nearly every professor in Europe is now on the warpath.

All of physics is either impossible or trivial. It is impossible until you understand it, and then it becomes trivial.

Never say, "I tried it once and it did not work."

A theory that you can't explain to a bartender is probably no damn good.

We haven't got the money, so we've got to think.

An alleged scientific discovery has no merit unless it can be explained to a barmaid.

It was almost as incredible as if you fired a 15-inch shell at a piece of tissue paper and it came back and hit you.

If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.

The only possible conclusion the social sciences can draw is: some do, some don't.

All science is either physics or stamp collecting.

I must confess it was very unexpected and I am very startled at my metamorphosis into a chemist.

It isn't a matter of fitting in but rather staying in because some people just don't.

Life is funny, when you are young you want to be older and those that are older wish to be younger.

Never try to be happy but always try to make someone happy. All the happiness in the world will be yours.

It is the function of perfection to make one know one's imperfection.

Success serves men as a pedestal. It makes them seem greater when not measured by reflection.

The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen

I don't know what people find or like in me, I'm hopelessly commonplace!... Current appreciation of my work is a bit highbrow, I've always considered myself a popular artist.

There's just a few people that call themselves stars can actually sit down with a guitar and sing you a song.

For me, it is good to be vulnerable. It makes me nice... weak sometimes, but in a good way, not a tragic way.

Desperate remorse swallows the present in a quenchless rage.