--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This was the most important discovery I…" description: "\"This was the most important discovery I had ever made in my life. It was a discovery which has irrevocably changed my whole life's direction. It immedi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/donald-johanson-16932_anthropologists_this-was-the-most-important-discovery-i_986959.png" --- # This was the most important discovery I had ever made in… ![“This was the most important discovery I had ever made in my life. It was a discovery which has irrevocably changed my whole life's direction. It immediately elevated me to the status of one of the world's leading anthropologists.” quote by Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/donald-johanson-16932_anthropologists_this-was-the-most-important-discovery-i_986959.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/donald-johanson-16932_anthropologists_this-was-the-most-important-discovery-i_986959.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/donald-johanson-16932_anthropologists_this-was-the-most-important-discovery-i_986959.png) > “This was the most important discovery I had ever made in my life. It was a discovery which has irrevocably changed my whole life's direction. It immediately elevated me to the status of one of the world's leading anthropologists.” [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A breakthrough discovery can dramatically redirect one's career, elevating them to a leading position in their field. **In simple terms:** A major find can change your life's path. Key Takeaway Embrace discoveries that reshape your direction. Themes science career discovery Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - academic conferences - fieldwork - career planning Key Concepts anthropology research impact personal transformation Questions to Reflect On - What discoveries could pivot your career? - How do you handle sudden fame? A Different Perspective Not all discoveries lead to success; risk and uncertainty remain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Elevated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elevated/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Status](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/status/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I realized immediately that this was a terribly important discovery, but I didn't realize how important it would be until we had spent a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/i-realized-immediately-that-this-was-a-terribly-important-discovery/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [The discovery that peace, happiness and love are ever-present within our own Being, and completely available at every moment of experience, under all conditions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-spira/the-discovery-that-peace-happiness-and-love-are-ever-present-within/) [Rupert Spira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-spira/) > [I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-forbes-nash/i-have-made-the-most-important-discovery-of-my-career-the-most/) [John Forbes Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-forbes-nash/) > [I've made the most important discovery of my life. It's only in the mysterious equation of love that any logical reasons can be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-forbes-nash/i-ve-made-the-most-important-discovery-of-my-life-it-s-only-in-the-2/) [John Forbes Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-forbes-nash/) > [“if I had to name the most important discovery of my life, it would be the portable community of talking circles; groups that gather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/if-i-had-to-name-the-most-important-discovery-of-my-life-it-would-be/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [By the time I was six, I made an important discovery that I get along much better with animals than humans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-gould/by-the-time-i-was-six-i-made-an-important-discovery-that-i-get-along/) [Glenn Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-gould/) > [Even more important than the discovery of Columbus, which we are gathered together to celebrate, is the fact that the general government has just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honore-daumier/even-more-important-than-the-discovery-of-columbus-which-we-are/) Honore Daumier > [The discovery of the power of our thoughts will prove to be the most important discovery of our time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/the-discovery-of-the-power-of-our-thoughts-will-prove-to-be-the-most/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [In my estimation it was obvious that Jansky had made a fundamental and very important discovery. Furthermore, he had exploited it to the limit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grote-reber/in-my-estimation-it-was-obvious-that-jansky-had-made-a-fundamental/) Grote Reber > [A method is more important than a discovery, since the right method will lead to new and even more important discoveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-landau/a-method-is-more-important-than-a-discovery-since-the-right-method/) [Lev Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-landau/) > [“I've made the most important discovery of my life. It's only in the mysterious equation of love that any logic or reasons can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-nasar/i-ve-made-the-most-important-discovery-of-my-life-it-s-only-in-the/) [Sylvia Nasar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-nasar/) > [Life is a re-discovery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-blessed/life-is-a-re-discovery/) [Brian Blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-blessed/) > [The only difference between us is that I am aware of my natural state, while you are bemused… We discover it by being earnest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/the-only-difference-between-us-is-that-i-am-aware-of-my-natural-state/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [“The vision of life is not a "discovery"; it's a "work" and whatever position you occupy demands work. Your life may not be built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/the-vision-of-life-is-not-a-discovery-it-s-a-work-and-whatever/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [It has been my experience that nothing changes a person's life more than the discovery of one solitary truth: There is a meaning and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-kelly/it-has-been-my-experience-that-nothing-changes-a-person-s-life-more/) [Matthew Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-kelly/) ## More by Donald Johanson > [My real father died when I was two years old, so I never knew him. He was a barber in Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/my-real-father-died-when-i-was-two-years-old-so-i-never-knew-him-he/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [But what really excited me was the idea that humans had a tremendous pre-history that went back millions of years. I wanted to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/but-what-really-excited-me-was-the-idea-that-humans-had-a-tremendous/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [You don't just magically flip some evolutionary switch somewhere and transmute a quadruped into an upright-walking bipedal human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/you-don-t-just-magically-flip-some-evolutionary-switch-somewhere-and/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [We are placed in the genus of Homo, which is Latin for man - Homo sapiens: supposedly wise men. I sometimes think - wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/we-are-placed-in-the-genus-of-homo-which-is-latin-for-man-homo/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [When I realized, in 1978, that Lucy did represent a new species of human ancestor, and that I had an opportunity to name this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/when-i-realized-in-1978-that-lucy-did-represent-a-new-species-of/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [Journalists often ask me when I go to the field, 'What do you expect to find?' And my answer always is, 'The unexpected,' because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/journalists-often-ask-me-when-i-go-to-the-field-what-do-you-expect-to/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [I find a tremendous receptivity among the public for the subject matter of, 'Where did we come from and how did we get here?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/i-find-a-tremendous-receptivity-among-the-public-for-the-subject/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [Evolution explains our biological evolution, but human beings are very unique creatures. As the Dobzhansky said, all animals are unique; humans are the uniquest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/evolution-explains-our-biological-evolution-but-human-beings-are-very/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [In our case, finding a Lucy is unique. No one will ever find another Lucy. You can't order one from a biological supply house.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/in-our-case-finding-a-lucy-is-unique-no-one-will-ever-find-another/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [Most Achievers I Know Are People Who Have Made A Strong And Deep Dedication to Pursuing A Particular Goal. That Dedication Took A Tremendous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/most-achievers-i-know-are-people-who-have-made-a-strong-and-deep/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [Evolution is a fact. It is the best explanation of what is known from observations. It's a theory as powerful as the theory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/evolution-is-a-fact-it-is-the-best-explanation-of-what-is-known-from/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [It's very hard for all of us, when we've committed ourselves to a particular interpretation, to change our minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/it-s-very-hard-for-all-of-us-when-we-ve-committed-ourselves-to-a/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [What's changed is we now have good anatomical, geological, archaeological evidence that Neanderthals are not our ancestors. When I wrote 'Lucy,' I considered Neanderthals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/what-s-changed-is-we-now-have-good-anatomical-geological/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [What makes us human depends on what place on our evolutionary path we're talking about. If you go back six million years ago, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/what-makes-us-human-depends-on-what-place-on-our-evolutionary-path-we/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) > [When we look for the origins of all humanity today, let's not just look at Europe, because I think Africa was the cradle, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-johanson/when-we-look-for-the-origins-of-all-humanity-today-let-s-not-just/) [Donald Johanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) [Explore all 38 Donald Johanson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-johanson/) ## More Anthropologists quotes > [As a social anthropologist, I naturally accept and even stress the fact that there are major differences, both mental and psychological, which separate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-leakey/as-a-social-anthropologist-i-naturally-accept-and-even-stress-the/) [Louis Leakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-leakey/) > [ Anthropology has always struggled with an intense, fascinated repulsion towards its subject… \[The anthropologist\] submits himself to the exotic to confirm his own inner… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/anthropology-has-always-struggled-with-an-intense-fascinated/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [The world of rumor and gossip is like a privileged world with which a social scientist or an anthropologist can take the temperature of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-scott/the-world-of-rumor-and-gossip-is-like-a-privileged-world-with-which-a/) [James C. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-scott/) > [What did the last Easter Islander say as he chopped down the last tree? The Easter Islanders didnt have anthropologists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/what-did-the-last-easter-islander-say-as-he-chopped-down-the-last/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [Shamanism is not some obscure concern of cultural anthropologists. Shamanism is how religion was practiced for its first million years. Up until about 12,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/shamanism-is-not-some-obscure-concern-of-cultural-anthropologists/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [An anthropologist at Tulane has just come back from a field trip to New Guinea with reports of a tribe so primitive that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/an-anthropologist-at-tulane-has-just-come-back-from-a-field-trip-to/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [Modernity sees humanity as having ascended from what is inferior to it - life begins in slime and ends in intelligence - whereas traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/modernity-sees-humanity-as-having-ascended-from-what-is-inferior-to/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“Increasingly anthropologists are being asked "what can you do for us?" by the people whose societies they are doing research on. It is sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-seeger/increasingly-anthropologists-are-being-asked-what-can-you-do-for-us/) [Anthony Seeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-seeger/) > [Anthropologists are a connecting link between poets and scientists; though their field-work among primitive peoples has often made them forget the language of science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-graves/anthropologists-are-a-connecting-link-between-poets-and-scientists/) [Robert Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-graves/) > [What if the book (of Genesis) is describing a dawning awareness of the world? The anthropologist Edmund Leach has argued that the 'bit' or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hampden-turner/what-if-the-book-of-genesis-is-describing-a-dawning-awareness-of-the/) Charles Hampden-Turner > [People like ourselves may see nothing wondrous in writing, but our anthropologists know how strange and magical it appears to a purely oral people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-postman/people-like-ourselves-may-see-nothing-wondrous-in-writing-but-our/) [Neil Postman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-postman/) > [Anthropologists have found evidence of romantic love in 170 societies. They've never found a society that did not have it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/anthropologists-have-found-evidence-of-romantic-love-in-170-societies/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [As a journalist, or an anthropologist, the convention is that people are there for you to study, and they are your objects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annia-ciezadlo/as-a-journalist-or-an-anthropologist-the-convention-is-that-people/) [Annia Ciezadlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annia-ciezadlo/) > [Anthropologists have often described what happens to a primitive society when its spiritual values are exposed to the impact of modern civilisation. Its people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/anthropologists-have-often-described-what-happens-to-a-primitive/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [We chose to do this work mathematically, which has the advantage of precision but is not always appreciated by readers. It is perhaps for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza/we-chose-to-do-this-work-mathematically-which-has-the-advantage-of/) [Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza/) Browse all 91 Anthropologists quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This was the most important discovery I had ever made in my life. It was a discovery which has irrevocably changed my whole life's direction. 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