--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alfred Nobel really understood very well…" description: "\"Alfred Nobel really understood very well the necessary supra-natural character of the human enterprise.\" — Charles H. Townes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c85/charles-h-townes-40035_business_alfred-nobel-really-understood-very-well_3110365.jpg" --- # Alfred Nobel really understood very well the necessary… ![“Alfred Nobel really understood very well the necessary supra-natural character of the human enterprise.” quote by Charles H. Townes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c85/charles-h-townes-40035_business_alfred-nobel-really-understood-very-well_3110365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c85/charles-h-townes-40035_business_alfred-nobel-really-understood-very-well_3110365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c85/charles-h-townes-40035_business_alfred-nobel-really-understood-very-well_3110365.jpg) > “Alfred Nobel really understood very well the necessary supra-natural character of the human enterprise.” [Charles H. Townes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-townes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Alfred Nobel recognized that human endeavors transcend ordinary limits, implying a deeper, almost mystical drive behind progress. **In simple terms:** Human work is driven by a higher purpose beyond the material. Key Takeaway Recognize the transcendent motivations in scientific work. Themes science human nature philosophy Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - research labs - education - public policy - ethical review Key Concepts transcendence purpose innovation Questions to Reflect On - What inspires your work beyond profit? - How do we ensure ethical purpose in research? A Different Perspective Not all scientific work aligns with noble ideals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enterprise/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Nobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobel/) ## Related quotes > [Alfred Nobel believed that social changes are brought about slowly, and sometimes by indirect means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertha-von-suttner/alfred-nobel-believed-that-social-changes-are-brought-about-slowly/) [Bertha von Suttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertha-von-suttner/) > [Alfred Nobel regretted that his invention, dynamite, was converted to degrading use, hence his creation of the Nobel Prize, as the humanist counter to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/alfred-nobel-regretted-that-his-invention-dynamite-was-converted-to/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [Alfred Nobel's discoveries are characteristic; powerful explosives can help men perform admirable tasks. They are also a means to terrible destruction in the hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-curie/alfred-nobel-s-discoveries-are-characteristic-powerful-explosives-can/) [Pierre Curie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-curie/) > [In dedicating his estate to the honoring of endeavors that benefit mankind, Alfred Nobel expressed a lifelong concern that is even more timely in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanford-moore/in-dedicating-his-estate-to-the-honoring-of-endeavors-that-benefit/) Stanford Moore > [The Nobel prizes memorialize Alfred Nobel's faith in the contribution that human thought, directed to science and art, can make to human welfare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-a-simon/the-nobel-prizes-memorialize-alfred-nobel-s-faith-in-the-contribution/) [Herbert A. 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Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-lown/martin-buber-suggested-that-evil-prevailed-because-of-the-inability/) [Bernard Lown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-lown/) > [Alfred Nobel stipulated that no distinction of race or colour will determine who received of his generosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdus-salam/alfred-nobel-stipulated-that-no-distinction-of-race-or-colour-will/) [Abdus Salam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdus-salam/) > [I can forgive Alfred Nobel for having invented dynamite, but only a fiend in human form could have invented the Nobel Prize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-can-forgive-alfred-nobel-for-having-invented-dynamite-but-only-a/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) ## More by Charles H. 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