Every aspect of the world today - even politics and international relations - is affected by chemistry.
Linus PaulingRead
The McCarthy period came along...and many of the other scientists who had been working on these same lines gave up. Probably saying "Why should I sacrifice myself? I am a scientist, I am supposed to be working on scientific things, so I don't need to put myself at risk by talking about these possibilities." And I have said that perhaps I'm just stubborn... I have said "I don't like anybody to tell me what to do or to think, except Mrs. Pauling."
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the importance of standing firm in one's beliefs despite external pressures.
Linus Pauling's quote emphasizes the courage it takes to pursue scientific inquiry and advocacy, even in the face of potential personal risk or societal disapproval. He acknowledges that many of his contemporaries chose to retreat from discussing controversial topics due to fear but asserts his own determination to continue exploring challenging ideas, influenced only by his wife. This highlights the role of individual conviction and resilience in the pursuit of truth and knowledge.
Themes
CourageAdvocacyScienceTruthResilience
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about scientific integrity, one could reference this quote to inspire colleagues to stand up for their beliefs.
More from Linus Pauling
All quotes →Although physicians, as part of their training, are taught that the dosage of a drug that is prescribed for the patient must be very carefully determined and controlled, they seem to have difficulty in remembering that the same principle applies to the vitamins.
Linus PaulingRead
I like people. I like animals, too-whales and quail, dinosaurs and dodos. But I like human beings especially, and I am unhappy that the pool of human germ plasm, which determines the nature of the human race, is deteriorating.
Linus PaulingRead
Just one living cell in the human body is, more complex than New York City.
Linus PaulingRead
The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away.
Linus PaulingRead
By the proper intakes of vitamins and other nutrients and by following a few other healthful practices from youth or middle age on, you can, I believe, extend your life and years of well-being by twenty-five or even thirty-five years.
Linus PaulingRead
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