The world little knows how many of the thoughts and theories which have passed through the mind of a scientific investigator, have been crushed in silence and secrecy by his own severe criticism and adverse examination!
Interpretation
The quote highlights the often unseen struggles and self-doubt that scientists experience in their pursuit of knowledge.
Michael Faraday's quote reflects the internal challenges faced by scientists, emphasizing that many innovative ideas and theories do not see the light of day due to the harsh self-criticism and scrutiny that researchers impose upon themselves. This underlines the importance of perseverance and the emotional toll of scientific inquiry, reminding us that the path to discovery is often fraught with self-doubt and fear of failure.
In practice
During a science conference, when discussing the struggles of research, I could use this quote to illustrate the hidden challenges faced by scientists.
I think chemistry is being frittered away by the hairsplitting of the organic chemists; we have new compounds discovered, which scarcely differ from the known ones and when discovered are valueless-very illustrations perhaps of their refinements in analysis, but very little aiding the progress of true science.
I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds.
It is on record that when a young aspirant asked Faraday the secret of his success as a scientific investigator, he replied, 'The secret is comprised in three words- Work, Finish, Publish.'
When I consider the multitude of associated forces which are diffused through nature - when I think of that calm balancing of their energies which enables those most powerful in themselves, most destructive to the world's creatures and economy, to dwell associated together and be made subservient to the wants of creation, I rise from the contemplation more than ever impressed with the wisdom, the beneficence, and grandeur, beyond our language to express, of the Great Disposer of us all.
Water is to me, I confess, a phenomenon which continually awakens new feelings of wonder as often as I view it.
It is right that we should stand by and act on our principles; but not right to hold them in obstinate blindness, or retain them when proved to be erroneous.
It's an awful stretcher to believe that a peacock's tail was thus formed but ... most people just don't get it - I must be a very bad explainer
In the last analysis the entire field of psychology may reduce to biological electrochemistry.
The way I see it, commercial interests should manage a lunar base while NASA gets on with the really important task of flying to Mars.
Mars once was wet and fertile. It's now bone dry. Something bad happened on Mars. I want to know what happened on Mars so that we may prevent it from happening here on Earth.
NASA has spin-offs, and it's a huge and very impressive list, including accurate and affordable LASIK eye surgery.
A scientist is no more a collector and classifier of facts than a historian is a man who complies and classifies a chronology of the dates of great battles and major discoveries.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.