“We should not allow it to be believed that all scientific progress can be reduced to mechanisms, machines, gearings, even though such machinery also has its beauty. Neither do I believe that the spirit of adventure runs any risk of disappearing in our world.”
- 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
“We should not allow it to be believed that all scientific progress can be reduced to mechanisms, machines, gearings, even though such machinery also has its beauty. Neither do I believe that the spirit of adventure runs any risk of disappearing in our world.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Marie Curie’s profound view of science as more than a mechanical process. While she acknowledges the beauty of machinery and technological systems, she cautions against reducing all scientific progress to physical devices or engineering feats. For Curie, science is not merely a matter of constructing mechanisms—it is a creative, philosophical, and exploratory endeavor that engages the mind and spirit as well as the hands.
Her confidence that the “spirit of adventure” will not disappear underscores a core belief in the enduring nature of human curiosity. Despite the rise of automation and industrial systems, she insists that there remains a vital place for imagination, risk-taking, and discovery. This spirit fuels progress, encourages bold questions, and sustains the emotional and intellectual thrill that drives great science forward.
In the modern world, where technology increasingly dominates both perception and process, Curie’s words offer a timely reminder of science’s deeper dimensions. They call on us to preserve the human element in scientific exploration, to recognize that breakthroughs come not only from machines but from minds sparked by wonder. Her vision ensures that even in an age of algorithms and gears, adventure and inspiration remain central to progress.
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