--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [Real scientist are delighted when they…" description: "\"“[Real scientist are delighted when they find out they are wrong. And to me that is one of the greatest gifts that a scientific education can bring.] T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/brian-cox-8883_greatest-gift_real-scientist-are-delighted-when-they-f_2461884.jpg" --- # \[Real scientist are delighted when they find out they are… ![“[Real scientist are delighted when they find out they are wrong. And to me that is one of the greatest gifts that a scientific education can bring.] There are too many people in this world who want to be right. And too few who just want to know.” quote by Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/brian-cox-8883_greatest-gift_real-scientist-are-delighted-when-they-f_2461884.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/brian-cox-8883_greatest-gift_real-scientist-are-delighted-when-they-f_2461884.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79c/brian-cox-8883_greatest-gift_real-scientist-are-delighted-when-they-f_2461884.jpg) > ““\[Real scientist are delighted when they find out they are wrong. And to me that is one of the greatest gifts that a scientific education can bring.\] There are too many people in this world who want to be right. And too few who just want to know.”” [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True scientists value being wrong because it reveals new knowledge; many seek being right over learning. **In simple terms:** Scientists love being wrong as it teaches them. Key Takeaway Embrace errors to discover truth. Themes science humility learning curiosity Mood reflective inquisitive Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - research labs - education - public debates - personal development - team projects Key Concepts epistemology growth mindset critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift from defending ego to seeking truth? - What habits help you welcome correction? A Different Perspective Being wrong can be uncomfortable and may be misinterpreted as failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Greatest gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-gift/) [Greatest gifts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-gifts/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) ## Related quotes > [If you're a real scientist, you're constantly open to new data. Nothing is ever 100% validated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-livingston/if-you-re-a-real-scientist-you-re-constantly-open-to-new-data-nothing/) [Ron Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-livingston/) > [A real scientist solves problems, not wails that they are unsolvable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mccaffrey/a-real-scientist-solves-problems-not-wails-that-they-are-unsolvable/) [Anne McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mccaffrey/) > [The real scientist is ready to bear privation and, if need be, starvation rather than let anyone dictate to him which direction his work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-szent-gyorgyi/the-real-scientist-is-ready-to-bear-privation-and-if-need-be/) [Albert Szent-Gyorgyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-szent-gyorgyi/) > [My three years at the NIH were critical in my scientific education. I learned an immense amount about the research process: developing assays, purifying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-b-prusiner/my-three-years-at-the-nih-were-critical-in-my-scientific-education-i/) [Stanley B. Prusiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-b-prusiner/) > [Even those who do not, or cannot, avail themselves of a scientific education, choose to benefit from the technology that is made possible by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/even-those-who-do-not-or-cannot-avail-themselves-of-a-scientific/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [As Gove knows… 'Scientific education for the masses will do little good, and probably a lot of harm, if it simply boils down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/as-gove-knows-scientific-education-for-the-masses-will-do-little-good/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“Scientific education is based in the main on statistical truths and abstract knowledge and therefore imparts an unrealistic, rational picture of the world, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-g-jung/scientific-education-is-based-in-the-main-on-statistical-truths-and/) [C.G. Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-g-jung/) > [The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/the-dog-is-the-most-faithful-of-animals-and-would-be-much-esteemed/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [I think the greatest gift we can give our children is the experience of deep quiet. If we don’t help our children cultivate contemplation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-think-the-greatest-gift-we-can-give-our-children-is-the-experience/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I always appreciated my teachers. When I was 16, I gave them the greatest gift I could think of. I dropped out of school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-always-appreciated-my-teachers-when-i-was-16-i-gave-them-the/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/knowledge-of-our-own-mortality-is-the-greatest-gift-god-ever-gives-us/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [I think that's one of the greatest gifts that I have: that I can get someone to open up, and all you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karamo-brown/i-think-that-s-one-of-the-greatest-gifts-that-i-have-that-i-can-get/) [Karamo Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karamo-brown/) > [“I often think that the ability to earn a living by doing the thing one loves must be one of life's greatest gifts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jojo-moyes/i-often-think-that-the-ability-to-earn-a-living-by-doing-the-thing/) [Jojo Moyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jojo-moyes/) > [The least grace is a better security for heaven than the greatest gifts or privileges whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/the-least-grace-is-a-better-security-for-heaven-than-the-greatest/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [My relationship with my parents is among the greatest gifts of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-castellani/my-relationship-with-my-parents-is-among-the-greatest-gifts-of-my-life/) [Christopher Castellani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-castellani/) ## More by Brian Cox > [You dig deeper and it gets more and more complicated, and you get confused, and it's tricky and it's hard, but... It is beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/you-dig-deeper-and-it-gets-more-and-more-complicated-and-you-get/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I didn't have this feeling that I should be a leading actor in the cinema. And I wouldn't want the responsibility of the opening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-didn-t-have-this-feeling-that-i-should-be-a-leading-actor-in-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-correct-statement-of-individual-rights-is-that-everyone-has-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I was living in London and I thought, 'There's nothing here for me anymore.' I don't want to become this actor who's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-was-living-in-london-and-i-thought-there-s-nothing-here-for-me/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I enjoy acting now more than I ever have. I've had lots of difficult times when I was younger, but that was all tied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-enjoy-acting-now-more-than-i-ever-have-i-ve-had-lots-of-difficult/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The problem is that the U.K. in essence is a feudal society. It's everyone in their place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-problem-is-that-the-u-k-in-essence-is-a-feudal-society-it-s/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [Deeper understanding confers that most precious thing - wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/deeper-understanding-confers-that-most-precious-thing-wonder/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [“Later, we shall see that if it were possible to exceed the speed of light, we could construct time machines capable of transporting us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/later-we-shall-see-that-if-it-were-possible-to-exceed-the-speed-of/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [It would be wonderful if ideas could be the new rock 'n roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/it-would-be-wonderful-if-ideas-could-be-the-new-rock-n-roll/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I've directed a couple of times in the theater, but I wouldn't make a habit of it because it's too consuming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-ve-directed-a-couple-of-times-in-the-theater-but-i-wouldn-t-make-a/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [“I'm comfortable with the unknown -- that's the point of science. There are places out there, billions of places out there, that we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-m-comfortable-with-the-unknown-that-s-the-point-of-science-there/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [The story of the universe finally comes to an end. For the first time in its life, the universe will be permanent and unchanging.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/the-story-of-the-universe-finally-comes-to-an-end-for-the-first-time/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I did a film in which Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton both played the leads, 'Desperate Measures,' and interestingly enough it was their biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-did-a-film-in-which-andy-garcia-and-michael-keaton-both-played-the/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [Science is too important not to be a part of popular culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/science-is-too-important-not-to-be-a-part-of-popular-culture/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > [I always think I look like the Elephant Man - I can't get used to my own image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/i-always-think-i-look-like-the-elephant-man-i-can-t-get-used-to-my/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) [Explore all 77 Brian Cox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) ## More Greatest gift quotes > [The greatest gift you can give to those around you is honesty. Sometimes honest words may sting the heart, but dishonesty pierces deep into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-greatest-gift-you-can-give-to-those-around-you-is-honesty/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [BLOOD IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN WATER. NEVER ABANDON YOUR FAMILY, BECAUSE IF ONE DAY THE WORLD TURN ITS BACK ON YOU, THE ONLY THING…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/no-voice/blood-is-always-better-than-water-never-abandon-your-family-because/) NO VOICE > [“The greatest gift you can bestow upon your children is your time and undivided attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brozina/the-greatest-gift-you-can-bestow-upon-your-children-is-your-time-and/) Jim Brozina > [My relationship with my parents is among the greatest gifts of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-castellani/my-relationship-with-my-parents-is-among-the-greatest-gifts-of-my-life/) [Christopher Castellani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-castellani/) > [The least grace is a better security for heaven than the greatest gifts or privileges whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/the-least-grace-is-a-better-security-for-heaven-than-the-greatest/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [“I often think that the ability to earn a living by doing the thing one loves must be one of life's greatest gifts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jojo-moyes/i-often-think-that-the-ability-to-earn-a-living-by-doing-the-thing/) [Jojo Moyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jojo-moyes/) > [So when it comes don't push it away. One day you will find it is the greatest gift and I hope you don't take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-green/so-when-it-comes-don-t-push-it-away-one-day-you-will-find-it-is-the/) [Vivian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-green/) > [I think that's one of the greatest gifts that I have: that I can get someone to open up, and all you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karamo-brown/i-think-that-s-one-of-the-greatest-gifts-that-i-have-that-i-can-get/) [Karamo Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karamo-brown/) > [It's one thing believing in yourself, it's another thing having other people believe in you, and that is the greatest gift, honestly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-magnussen/it-s-one-thing-believing-in-yourself-it-s-another-thing-having-other/) [Billy Magnussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-magnussen/) > [knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/knowledge-of-our-own-mortality-is-the-greatest-gift-god-ever-gives-us/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [“It is not holiness, but arrogance displayed to take away the greatest gift—free will— bestowed by God from the beginning of time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tullia-d-aragona/it-is-not-holiness-but-arrogance-displayed-to-take-away-the-greatest/) Tullia d'Aragona > [“The greatest gift you can open is your heart to someone in need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/the-greatest-gift-you-can-open-is-your-heart-to-someone-in-need/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [The greatest gift a parent can give a child is unconditional love. As a child wanders and strays, finding his bearings, he needs a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-greatest-gift-a-parent-can-give-a-child-is-unconditional-love-as/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [One of the best things you can do in life is to embrace who you are. Once you do that NOTHING can stop you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-best-things-you-can-do-in-life-is-to-embrace-who-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The greatest gift you can ever give to yourself is 'Loving yourself the way you are'. Its a gift from you to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/collins-hasty/the-greatest-gift-you-can-ever-give-to-yourself-is-loving-yourself/) [Collins Hasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/collins-hasty/) [Browse all 722 Greatest gift quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-gift/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“[Real scientist are delighted when they find out they are wrong. And to me that is one of the greatest gifts that a scientific education can bring.] There are too many people in this world who want to be right. 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