For the admirable gift of himself, and for the magnificent…
““For the admirable gift of himself, and for the magnificent service he renders humanity, what reward does our society offer the scientist? Have these servants of an idea the necessary means of work? Have they an assured existence, sheltered from care? The example of Pierre Curie e, and of others, shows that they have none of these things; and that more often, before they can secure possible working conditions, they have to exhaust their youth and their powers in daily anxieties. Our society, in which reigns an eager desire for riches and luxury, does not understand the value of science. It does not realize that science is a most precious part of its moral patrimony. Nor does it take sufficient cognizance of the fact that science is at the base of all the progress that lightens the burden of life and lessens its suffering. Neither public powers nor private generosity actually accord to science and to scientists the support and the subsidies indispensable to fully effective work.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science is undervalued; scientists lack stable support, while society pursues wealth over knowledge.
In simple terms: Scientists are underfunded and unappreciated.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for sustained public and private investment in research.
Themes
science
societal values
economics
ethics
progress
Mood
concerned
determined
hopeful
Type
critical
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- university labs
- government grants
- private philanthropy
- corporate R&D
- academic careers
Key Concepts
public policy
funding models
intellectual labor
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we align economic incentives with scientific advancement?
- What mechanisms ensure scientists’ basic needs are met?
A Different Perspective
Societal priorities may shift, limiting long‑term funding commitments.