--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is strange that only extraordinary men…" description: "\"It is strange that only extraordinary men make the discoveries, which later appear so easy and simple.\" — Georg C. Lichtenberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_discoveries_it-is-strange-that-only-extraordinary-me_2066428.png" --- # It is strange that only extraordinary men make the… ![“It is strange that only extraordinary men make the discoveries, which later appear so easy and simple.” quote by Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_discoveries_it-is-strange-that-only-extraordinary-me_2066428.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_discoveries_it-is-strange-that-only-extraordinary-me_2066428.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/georg-c-lichtenberg-1087_discoveries_it-is-strange-that-only-extraordinary-me_2066428.png) > “It is strange that only extraordinary men make the discoveries, which later appear so easy and simple.” [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extraordinary people often make breakthroughs that later seem simple to others. **In simple terms:** Great discoveries look easy after the fact. Key Takeaway Recognize that simplicity can hide deep insight. Themes innovation humility learning Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - science research - teaching - problem solving - creative work Key Concepts cognitive bias expertise historical perspective Questions to Reflect On - What discoveries have you taken for granted? - How can we honor the effort behind 'easy' insights? A Different Perspective Simple explanations may overlook the complexity of the original effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discoveries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discoveries/) [Discoveries Later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discoveries-later-3311172/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Extraordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extraordinary/) [Extraordinary Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extraordinary-men-1555108/) [Make Discoveries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-discoveries-276791/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange/) [Strange Extraordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange-extraordinary-1384937/) ## Related quotes > [Throughout history, people have studied pure science from a desire to understand the universe rather than practical applications for commercial gain. 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Weird? By rebelling against the rules the word itself denotes its very meaning: of strange or extraordinary character,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/day-parker/i-before-e-except-after-c-weird-by-rebelling-against-the-rules-the/) [Day Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/day-parker/) > [I will not leave a corner of my consciousness covered up, but saturate myself with the strange and extraordinary new conditions of this life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-rosenberg/i-will-not-leave-a-corner-of-my-consciousness-covered-up-but-saturate/) [Isaac Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-rosenberg/) > [“There was something strange and extraordinary about her – something that was frightening and at the same time most exciting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-l-travers-2/there-was-something-strange-and-extraordinary-about-her-something/) [P.L. Travers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-l-travers-2/) ## More by Georg C. Lichtenberg > [If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/if-people-should-ever-start-to-do-only-what-is-necessary-millions/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [We can see nothing whatever of the soul unless it is visible in the expression of the countenance; one might call the faces at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/we-can-see-nothing-whatever-of-the-soul-unless-it-is-visible-in-the/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [The wisdom of providence is as much revealed in the rarity of genius, as in the circumstance that not everyone is deaf or blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-wisdom-of-providence-is-as-much-revealed-in-the-rarity-of-genius/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [I ceased in the year 1764 to believe that one can convince one’s opponents with arguments printed in books. It is not to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/i-ceased-in-the-year-1764-to-believe-that-one-can-convince-one-s/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [Probably no invention came more easily to man than heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/probably-no-invention-came-more-easily-to-man-than-heaven/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [It is a great shame; most of our words are misused tools / which often still smell of the mud in which previous owners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/it-is-a-great-shame-most-of-our-words-are-misused-tools-which-often/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [To live when you do not want to is dreadful, but it would be even more terrible to be immortal when you did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/to-live-when-you-do-not-want-to-is-dreadful-but-it-would-be-even-more/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [He who understands the wise is wise already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/he-who-understands-the-wise-is-wise-already/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [The fruits of philosophy are the important thing, not the philosophy itself. When we ask the time, we don't want to know how watches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-fruits-of-philosophy-are-the-important-thing-not-the-philosophy/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [He who says he hates all kinds of flattery, and says so in earnest, has undoubtedly not as yet become acquainted with all kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/he-who-says-he-hates-all-kinds-of-flattery-and-says-so-in-earnest-has/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [One can live in this world on soothsaying but not on truth saying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/one-can-live-in-this-world-on-soothsaying-but-not-on-truth-saying/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [Actual aristocracy cannot be abolished by any law: all the law can do is decree how it is to be imparted and who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/actual-aristocracy-cannot-be-abolished-by-any-law-all-the-law-can-do/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [One of the greatest and also the commonest of faults is for men to believe that, because they never hear their shortcomings spoken of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/one-of-the-greatest-and-also-the-commonest-of-faults-is-for-men-to/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [People who never have any time on their hands are those who do the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/people-who-never-have-any-time-on-their-hands-are-those-who-do-the/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [An hour-glass is a reminder not only of time's quick flight, but also of the dust to which we must at last return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/an-hour-glass-is-a-reminder-not-only-of-time-s-quick-flight-but-also/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) [Explore all 295 Georg C. Lichtenberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) ## More Discoveries quotes > [Out of the questions of students come most of the creative ideas and discoveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/out-of-the-questions-of-students-come-most-of-the-creative-ideas-and/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [“The nimble of mind long for the challenge of new discoveries. Weary minds cling to what is already known.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-lee-lerner/the-nimble-of-mind-long-for-the-challenge-of-new-discoveries-weary/) [K. Lee Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-lee-lerner/) > [To me, part of the magic of this era is that the very same innovations, discoveries, and technologies that are allowing us to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-sebelius/to-me-part-of-the-magic-of-this-era-is-that-the-very-same-innovations/) [Kathleen Sebelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-sebelius/) > [Science is the most exciting and sustained enterprise of discovery in the history of our species. It is the great adventure of our time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/science-is-the-most-exciting-and-sustained-enterprise-of-discovery-in/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“We only know a tiny proportion about the complexity of the natural world. 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