“In science, we must be interested in things, not in persons.”
- November 7, 1867 – July 4, 1934
- Polish-French
- Physicist, Chemist, Pioneer in Radioactivity, First Woman to Win a Nobel Prize
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Quote
“In science, we must be interested in things, not in persons.”
Explanation
This quote expresses Marie Curie’s unwavering commitment to objectivity and impartiality in scientific inquiry. By stating that scientists should be “interested in things, not in persons,” she champions a worldview where the pursuit of truth takes precedence over personal bias, reputation, or ego. It is a call to focus on evidence, phenomena, and natural laws, rather than the individuals who study them.
Curie’s stance reflects the ethos of classical scientific thought, in which the integrity of research depends on detachment from personal influence. Her own experiences—often as a woman marginalized in male-dominated institutions—likely reinforced her belief that science should be judged by merit, not identity. This perspective helped her maintain intellectual clarity even in the face of public scrutiny and prejudice.
Today, this quote resonates in fields where celebrity culture or institutional politics can cloud objective evaluation. It reminds us that genuine progress comes from valuing ideas, data, and discoveries, not the prestige of those who present them. In an era of increasing personalization, Curie’s principle still serves as a foundational ideal: that truth, not personality, must guide scientific endeavor.
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