140 quotes
The Quantum Universe has a quotation from me in every chapter — but it's a damn good book anyway.
Review blurb for the first edition of The Quantum Universe (1987)
Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her patterns, so each small piece of her fabric reveals the organization of the entire tapestry.
The Character of Physical Law (1965)
I have to understand the world, you see.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)
The theory of quantum electrodynamics describes Nature as absurd from the point of view of common sense. And it agrees fully with experiment. So I hope you accept Nature as She is — absurd.
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter (1985)
Since then I never pay attention to anything by "experts". I calculate everything myself.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)
Do you seriously entertain the idea that without the observer there is no reality?
From a long view of the history of mankind — seen from, say, ten thousand years from now — there can be little doubt that the most significant event of the 19th century will be judged as Maxwell's discovery of the laws of electrodynamics.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1964)
It is impossible, by the way, when picking one example of anything, to avoid picking one which is atypical in some sense.
The Character of Physical Law (1965)
If an apple is magnified to the size of the earth, then the atoms in the apple are approximately the size of the original apple.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1964)
Nature has a great simplicity and, therefore, a great beauty.
Nature's imagination far surpasses our own.
The Character of Physical Law (1965)
While I am describing to you how Nature works, you won't understand why Nature works that way. But you see, nobody understands that.
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter (1985)
Jiry, don't worry about anything. Go out and have a good time.
No Ordinary Genius (1994)
I wanted very much to learn to draw, for a reason that I kept to myself: I wanted to convey an emotion I have about the beauty of the world.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)
"What one fool can do, another fool can."
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out (1999)
I don't know what's the matter with people: they don't learn by understanding; they learn by some other way — by rote or something. Their knowledge is so fragile!
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)
I'll never make that mistake again, reading the experts' opinions. Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that's the end of you.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)
There is no harm in doubt and skepticism, for it is through these that new discoveries are made.
The electron is a theory we use; it is so useful in understanding the way nature works that we can almost call it real.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)
Mathematics is not just a language. Mathematics is a language plus reasoning.
The Character of Physical Law (1965)