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The scientist finds his reward in what Henri Poincare calls the joy of comprehension, and not in the possibility of application to which any discovery may lead.
Albert Einstein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Einstein emphasizes the intrinsic joy that scientists experience while understanding the world, rather than focusing solely on practical applications of their discoveries.

In this quote, Albert Einstein highlights the idea that the true satisfaction of a scientist comes from the joy and excitement of understanding the complexities of the universe. He references Henri Poincare's notion that the pleasure derived from the process of comprehension itself is more rewarding than the potential utilities that may arise from scientific discoveries. This perspective encourages a deeper appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge and the intellectual challenges that drive scientific inquiry.

Themes

ScienceComprehensionJoyDiscoveryKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of research and development, one could quote Einstein to emphasize the value of curiosity in science.

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Quote by Albert Einstein | QuoteProject