Enrico Fermi

nature mankind accept ignorance knowledge

“Whatever Nature has in store for mankind, unpleasant as it may be, men must accept, for ignorance is never better than knowledge.”

― Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)

nobel intelligence

“When asked what characteristics Nobel prize winning physicists had in common I cannot think of a single one, not even intelligence”

― Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)

atomic weapon catastrophe genocide

Such a weapon goes far beyond any military objective and enters the range of very great natural catastrophes. By its very nature it cannot be confined to a military objective but becomes a weapon which in practical effect is almost one of genocide”

― Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)

scientist statesmen problem knowledge

“One might be led to question whether the scientists acted wisely in presenting the statesmen of the world with this appalling problem. Actually there was no choice. Once basic knowledge is acquired, any attempt at preventing its fruition would be as futile as hoping to stop the earth from revolving around the sun.”

― Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)

destructiveness weapon evil humanity danger

“The fact that no limits exist to the destructiveness of this weapon makes its very existence and the knowledge of its construction a danger to humanity as a whole. It is necessarily an evil thing considered in any light.”

― Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)