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The underlying physical laws necessary for the mathematical theory of a large part of physics and the whole of chemistry are thus completely known, and the difficulty is only that the exact application of these laws leads to equations much too complicated to be soluble. It therefore becomes desirable that approximate practical methods of applying quantum mechanics should be developed, which can lead to an explanation of the main features of complex atomic systems without too much computation.

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More quotes by Paul Dirac

It seems clear that the present quantum mechanics is not in its final form.

The measure of greatness in a scientific idea is the extent to which it stimulates thought and opens up new lines of research.

The scientific work of Georges Lemaître (1968)

One could perhaps describe the situation by saying that God is a mathematician of a very high order, and He used very advanced mathematics in constructing the universe.

The Evolution of the Physicist's Picture of Nature (1963)

In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in the case of poetry, it's the exact opposite!

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns : A Personal History of the Atomic Scientists (1958)

God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world.

The Cosmic Code : Quantum Physics As The Language Of Nature (1982)

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All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.

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Science and religion are two human enterprises sharing many features.

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To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection.

Henri Poincaré Science and Hypothesis (1901)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Paul Dirac (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.