--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [Max Planck] was one of the finest people…" description: "\"[Max Planck] was one of the finest people I have ever known... but he really didn't understand physics, [because] during the eclipse of 1919 he stayed ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/albert-einstein-33_all-night_max-planck-was-one-of-the-finest-people_2647781.jpg" --- # \[Max Planck\] was one of the finest people I have ever… ![“[Max Planck] was one of the finest people I have ever known... but he really didn't understand physics, [because] during the eclipse of 1919 he stayed up all night to see if it would confirm the bending of light by the gravitational field. If he had really understood [general relativity], he would…” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/albert-einstein-33_all-night_max-planck-was-one-of-the-finest-people_2647781.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/albert-einstein-33_all-night_max-planck-was-one-of-the-finest-people_2647781.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/albert-einstein-33_all-night_max-planck-was-one-of-the-finest-people_2647781.jpg) > “\[Max Planck\] was one of the finest people I have ever known... but he really didn't understand physics, \[because\] during the eclipse of 1919 he stayed up all night to see if it would confirm the bending of light by the gravitational field. If he had really understood \[general relativity\], he would have gone to bed the way I did” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even brilliant minds can miss core insights; practical experience sometimes outweighs theoretical knowledge. **In simple terms:** Great scientists can still overlook basics. Key Takeaway Value hands‑on verification alongside theory. Themes humility science learning experience Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type historical educational When to use this quote - research labs - educational curricula - personal study habits Key Concepts epistemology scientific method Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance theory and experiment? - When have you learned more from practice than theory? A Different Perspective The anecdote may exaggerate; not all experts ignore fundamentals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eclipse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eclipse/) [General relativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-relativity/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Planck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planck/) [Relativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relativity/) [Up all night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up-all-night/) ## Related quotes > [“When Max Planck was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of quantum theory, he said, “Looking back over the long and labyrinthine path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/when-max-planck-was-awarded-the-nobel-prize-for-his-discovery-of/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Max Planck, surveying his own career in his Scientific Autobiography, sadly remarked that “a new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-kuhn/max-planck-surveying-his-own-career-in-his-scientific-autobiography/) [Thomas S. Kuhn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-kuhn/) > [“As physicist Max Planck once observed, “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/as-physicist-max-planck-once-observed-a-new-scientific-truth-does-not/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“In this field, almost everything is already discovered, and all that remains is to fill a few unimportant holes. { Advising his student, Max…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-von-jolly/in-this-field-almost-everything-is-already-discovered-and-all-that/) Philipp von Jolly > [“The great German physicist Max Planck had been advised by his lecturer, the marvellously named Philipp von Jolly, not to pursue the study of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-r-higgs/the-great-german-physicist-max-planck-had-been-advised-by-his/) [J.M.R. Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-r-higgs/) > [Science is the never ending search for facts which may never be quite understood and only apprehended by the poetic intuition. Max Planck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-planck-theoretical-physicist/science-is-the-never-ending-search-for-facts-which-may-never-be-quite/) Max Planck Theoretical Physicist > [“In 1875, when young Max Planck announced his interest in physics, the chairman of his physics department suggested he study something more exciting. Physics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-rosenblum/in-1875-when-young-max-planck-announced-his-interest-in-physics-the/) Bruce Rosenblum > [“The German physicist Max Planck, after whom these unimaginably small quantities are named, introduced the idea of quantized energy in 1900 and is generally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/the-german-physicist-max-planck-after-whom-these-unimaginably-small/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [ The longing to behold this pre-established harmony \[of phenomena and theoretical principles\] is the source of the inexhaustible patience and perseverance with which Planck… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-longing-to-behold-this-pre-established-harmony-of-phenomena-and/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“In the temple of science are many mansions, and various indeed are they that dwell therein and the motives that have led them thither.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/in-the-temple-of-science-are-many-mansions-and-various-indeed-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“The choice today is revolt. Igor Stravinsky wrote, “The old original sin was one of knowledge, the new original sin is one of non-acknowledgment.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-r-reilly/the-choice-today-is-revolt-igor-stravinsky-wrote-the-old-original-sin/) [Robert R. Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-r-reilly/) > [People complain that our generation has no philosophers. They are wrong. They now sit in another faculty. Their names are Max Planck and Albert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-von-harnack/people-complain-that-our-generation-has-no-philosophers-they-are/) Adolf von Harnack > [“After receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918, Max Planck went on tour across Germany. Wherever he was invited, he delivered the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-dobelli/after-receiving-the-nobel-prize-in-physics-in-1918-max-planck-went-on/) [Rolf Dobelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-dobelli/) > [“Planck famously said that science advances one funeral at a time. He meant that only when one generation passes away do new theories have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/planck-famously-said-that-science-advances-one-funeral-at-a-time-he/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [“Although that might seem inconsetuqntial, a 1 percent difference can be significantly big in cosmology. And the recently launched Planck observatory should be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shing-tung-yau/although-that-might-seem-inconsetuqntial-a-1-percent-difference-can/) Shing-Tung Yau ## More by Albert Einstein > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) [Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More All night quotes > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I'm neurotic in the sense that I can have a crowd of 300 people cheering you, applauding you, standing O, but one guy come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-white/i-m-neurotic-in-the-sense-that-i-can-have-a-crowd-of-300-people/) [Wayne White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-white/) > [ Senator \[Tom\] Cotton has campaigned on wanting to kill Obamacare. He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act back in January, but he now… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/senator-tom-cotton-has-campaigned-on-wanting-to-kill-obamacare-he/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [Teenagers complain there's nothing to do, then stay out all night doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-phillips/teenagers-complain-there-s-nothing-to-do-then-stay-out-all-night/) [Bob Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-phillips/) > [Few, if any, creatures are equally active all night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/few-if-any-creatures-are-equally-active-all-night/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Everyone has seen people dancing all night. But take a man and make him dance for a quarter of an hour without music and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-de-saxe/everyone-has-seen-people-dancing-all-night-but-take-a-man-and-make/) [Maurice de Saxe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-de-saxe/) > [Never walk near the bed; to a ghost your ankle is your most vulnerable part-once in bed, you're safe; he may lie around under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/never-walk-near-the-bed-to-a-ghost-your-ankle-is-your-most-vulnerable/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [I think I fully commit myself to any role to the extent to which I can. In other words there's some roles that maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-think-i-fully-commit-myself-to-any-role-to-the-extent-to-which-i/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I memorize my lines and I show up. I think it's just instinctual, and sometimes it's wrong and the director says, "No, do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lawrence/i-memorize-my-lines-and-i-show-up-i-think-it-s-just-instinctual-and/) [Jennifer Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lawrence/) > [I feel like a midget with muddy feet had been walking over my tongue all night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/i-feel-like-a-midget-with-muddy-feet-had-been-walking-over-my-tongue/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [If I walk into a place, a party, say, and there's a bookshelf, I immediately gravitate toward it. Unless there's a bar. But even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-evison/if-i-walk-into-a-place-a-party-say-and-there-s-a-bookshelf-i/) [Jonathan Evison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-evison/) > [When you're doing a play you get to go full speed ahead, all night, in front of an audience. 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He stayed up all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/basically-ken-is-a-very-gentle-home-loving-person-i-remember-when-one/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) Browse all 335 All night quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[Max Planck] was one of the finest people I have ever known... but he really didn't understand physics, [because] during the eclipse of 1919 he stayed up all night to see if it would confirm the bending of light by the gravitational field. 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