--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Could we have avoided the tragedy of…" description: "\"Could we have avoided the tragedy of Hiroshima? Could we have started the atomic age with clean hands? No one knows. No one can find out.\" — Edward Teller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/edward-teller-12255_age_could-we-have-avoided-the-tragedy-of-hir_2461719.png" --- # Could we have avoided the tragedy of Hiroshima? Could we… ![“Could we have avoided the tragedy of Hiroshima? Could we have started the atomic age with clean hands? No one knows. No one can find out.” quote by Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/edward-teller-12255_age_could-we-have-avoided-the-tragedy-of-hir_2461719.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/edward-teller-12255_age_could-we-have-avoided-the-tragedy-of-hir_2461719.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d9/edward-teller-12255_age_could-we-have-avoided-the-tragedy-of-hir_2461719.png) > “Could we have avoided the tragedy of Hiroshima? Could we have started the atomic age with clean hands? No one knows. No one can find out.” [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The atomic age's origins are uncertain and possibly avoidable, but the truth may be unknowable. **In simple terms:** We may never know if we could have avoided nuclear tragedy. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty while striving for responsible scientific progress. Themes science ethics historical hindsight nuclear weapons Mood cautious reflective Type ethical historical When to use this quote - policy making - scientific research - education - peace advocacy Key Concepts determinism unknown outcomes Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can prevent future catastrophic technologies? - How should societies balance innovation with moral risk? A Different Perspective It may downplay the responsibility of scientists in shaping outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Clean hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-hands/) [Hiroshima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiroshima/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) ## Related quotes > [The Atomic Age was born in secrecy, and for two decades after Hiroshima, the high priests of the cult of the atom concealed vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/the-atomic-age-was-born-in-secrecy-and-for-two-decades-after/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [There, in the tin factory, in the first moment of the atomic age, a human being was crushed by books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hersey/there-in-the-tin-factory-in-the-first-moment-of-the-atomic-age-a/) [John Hersey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hersey/) > [In this era of world wars, in this atomic age, values have changed. 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That at some time, they,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/by-having-simplified-what-is-known-physicists-have-been-led-into/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [Really exotic methods of propulsion . . . will have to be devised to get there. How it will be done, I do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/really-exotic-methods-of-propulsion-will-have-to-be-devised-to-get/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [Today, nothing is unusual about a scientific discovery's being followed soon after by a technical application: The discovery of electrons led to electronics; fission…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/today-nothing-is-unusual-about-a-scientific-discovery-s-being/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [Society's emissions of carbon dioxide may or may not turn out to have something significant to do with global warming-the jury is still out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/society-s-emissions-of-carbon-dioxide-may-or-may-not-turn-out-to-have/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [Had we not pursued the hydrogen bomb, there is a very real threat that we would now all be speaking Russian. 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I believe this is incorrect. At least in science it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/it-is-often-claimed-that-knowledge-multiplies-so-rapidly-that-nobody/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [I believe in excellence. It is a basic need of every human soul. All of us can be excellent, because, fortunately, we are exceedingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/i-believe-in-excellence-it-is-a-basic-need-of-every-human-soul-all-of/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/when-you-come-to-the-end-of-all-the-light-you-know-and-it-s-time-to/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) > [There is a time for scientists and movie stars and those who have flown the atlantic to restrain their opinions lest they be taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-teller/there-is-a-time-for-scientists-and-movie-stars-and-those-who-have/) [Edward Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) [Explore all 55 Edward Teller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-teller/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." 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