55 Quotes by John Charles Polanyi

Authority in science exists to be questioned, since heresy is the spring from which new ideas flow.

In education the appetite does indeed grow with eating. I have never known anyone to abandon study because they knew too much.

Individual scientists like myself - and many more conspicuous - pointed to the dangers of radioactive fallout over Canada if we were to launch nuclear weapons to intercept incoming bombers.

At the heart of science lies discovery which involves a change in worldview. Discovery in science is possible only in societies which accord their citizens the freedom to pursue the truth where it may lead and which therefore have respect for different paths to that truth.

When, as we must often do, we fear science, we really fear ourselves. Human dignity is better served by embracing knowledge.

Though neglectful of their responsibility to protect science, scientists are increasingly aware of their responsibility to society.

Scientists and scholars should constitute themselves as an international NGO of exceptional authority.

Our assessment of socio-economic worth is largely a sham. We scientists should not lend ourselves to it - though we routinely do. We should, instead, insist on applying the criterion of quality.

Idealism is the highest form of reason.