Marie Curie
B.Nov 7, 1867-Jul 4, 1934
Scientist

Marie Curie Hand-Picked Quotes

Marie Curie, a leading figure in physics and chemistry, contributed profoundly to the understanding of radioactivity. Her passion for knowledge took her to unprecedented heights, including becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her determination and revolutionary discoveries continue to inspire many.

Curie's discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, altered our perception of atomic structure and led to significant medical advancements. This breakthrough in isolating radioactive isotopes not only created a robust foundation for modern radiology but also enhanced diagnostic techniques for ailments like cancer. The adoption of radiation therapy in cancer treatment, now a fundamental medical practice, can be traced back to her research.

She became the only individual to be awarded Nobel Prizes in two separate scientific disciplines, winning the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. This achievement illustrates her unmatched influence in science.

Marie Curie's legacy is enduring, as seen in the continued research at the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute, formerly the Radium Institute. Through her relentless pursuit of knowledge and willingness to foster collaboration, she laid the groundwork for future generations, greatly influencing modern science and medical practices, and opening new paths for countless researchers. Her work continues to shape our comprehension of matter at its most essential level.

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In the words of Marie Curie:
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
If I see anything vital around me, it is precisely that spirit of adventure, which seems indestructible and is akin to curiosity.
All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child.
I am one of those who think like Nobel, that humanity will draw more good than evil from new discoveries.
First principle: never to let one's self be beaten down by persons or by events.
I have no dress except the one I wear every day. If you are going to be kind enough to give me one, please let it be practical and dark so that I can put it on afterwards to go to the laboratory.
Each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity.
If it takes a hundred years, it will be a pity, but I will not cease to work for it as long as I live.
Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.
It was like a new world opened to me, the world of science, which I was at last permitted to know in all liberty.
Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.
My husband and I were so closely united by our affection and our common work that we passed nearly all of our time together.
We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.
I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.
In life, there is nothing to be feared, only understood. The more one understands, the less one fears.
Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.
A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician: he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales.
You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals.
One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.
In science, we must be interested in things, not in persons.