J. Robert Oppenheimer Quotes

A collection of quotes by J. Robert Oppenheimer.

J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) was an American theoretical physicist widely known as the "father of the atomic bomb." He was born in New York City and displayed an exceptional aptitude for science at a young age. Oppenheimer graduated from Harvard University with a degree in chemistry before pursuing a Ph.D. in physics at the University of Göttingen in Germany.

After completing his doctorate, Oppenheimer returned to the United States and became a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He made significant contributions to various areas of physics, including quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, earning him a reputation as one of America's leading scientists.

During World War II, Oppenheimer was appointed as the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret government initiative to develop the world's first atomic bomb. Under his leadership, the project successfully constructed the weapon, which was later used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ultimately playing a crucial role in ending the war.

However, Oppenheimer became increasingly concerned about the devastating power of nuclear weapons and their potential for catastrophic consequences. After the war, he became an advocate for international control of atomic energy and spoke out against the further development of nuclear weapons.

Despite his contributions to science and his efforts for global nuclear disarmament, Oppenheimer was investigated and ultimately stripped of his security clearance during the McCarthy era due to his past associations with leftist organizations. Nevertheless, he continued his research and teaching career until his death in 1967, leaving behind a lasting legacy both as a brilliant physicist and as a voice of caution concerning the destructive capabilities of nuclear technology.

The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds.

The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true.

J. Robert Oppenheimer


In some sort of crude sense, which no vulgarity, no humor, n

In some sort of crude sense, which no vulgarity, no humor, no overstatement can quite extinguish, the physicists have known sin and this is a knowledge which they cannot lose.

J. Robert Oppenheimer


Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. (quoting the

Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. (quoting the Bhagavad-Gita after witnessing the first Nuclear explosion.)

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Science Apocalypse Wars

In the material sciences these are and have been, and are mo

In the material sciences these are and have been, and are most surely likely to continue to be heroic days.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Science

We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughe

We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty, and to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Science Wwii Manhatttan Project Nuclear Bomb

I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.

I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Death

The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable.

The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass and beyond there is a different country.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Future

There are children playing in the street who could solve som

There are children playing in the street who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception that I lost long ago.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Perception

We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise e

We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Power

Both the man of science and the man of action live always at

Both the man of science and the man of action live always at the edge of mystery, surrounded by it.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Science

In some sort of crude sense, which no vulgarity, no humor, n

In some sort of crude sense, which no vulgarity, no humor, no overstatement can quite extinguish, the physicists have known sin; and this is a knowledge which they cannot lose.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Science

As long as men are free to ask what they must, free to say w

As long as men are free to ask what they must, free to say what they think, free to think what they will, freedom can never be lost and science can never regress.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Questions

When you see something that is technically sweet, you go ahe

When you see something that is technically sweet, you go ahead and do it and you argue about what to do about it only after you have had your technical success. That is the way it was with the atomic bomb.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Technology

A man whose errors take ten years to correct is quite a man.

A man whose errors take ten years to correct is quite a man.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Mistakes

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; The wise gr

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; The wise grows it under his feet.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Happiness

The optimist thinks that this is the best of all possible wo

The optimist thinks that this is the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist knows it.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Optimism