Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.
Alexander FlemingRead
I have been trying to point out that in our lives chance may have an astonishing influence and, if I may offer advice to the young laboratory worker, it would be this-never neglect an extraordinary appearance or happening. It may be-usually is, in fact-a false alarm that leads to nothing, but may on the other hand be the clue provided by fate to lead you to some important advance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Chance can significantly impact our lives, and it's essential to pay attention to extraordinary events as they may lead to important discoveries.
In this quote, Alexander Fleming emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the unexpected occurrences in our lives, particularly in a scientific context. He advises young laboratory workers to not dismiss unusual appearances or incidents, as these moments may seem insignificant or misleading but could also serve as crucial indicators pointing towards groundbreaking advancements. This reflects a broader life lesson about being open to possibilities and finding significance in the unpredictable nature of chance.
Themes
ChanceDiscoveryOpportunityUnexpectedScience
In practice
Example use cases
During a scientific conference, you might use this quote to encourage researchers to embrace unexpected results.
More from Alexander Fleming
All quotes →One sometimes finds what one is not looking for. When I woke up just after dawn on Sept. 28, 1928, I certainly didn’t plan to revolutionize all medicine by discovering the world’s first antibiotic, or bacteria killer. But I guess that was exactly what I did.
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Suggested remedy for the common cold: A good gulp of whiskey at bedtime-it's not very scientific, but it helps.
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It is the lone worker who makes the first advance in a subject: the details may be worked out by a team, but the prime idea is due to the enterprise, thought, and perception of an individual.
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