Chemist Quote by Ira Remsen
“Be a physical chemist, an analytical chemist, an organic chemist, if you will; but above all, be a chemist.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, attributed to Ira Remsen
Encourages embracing the broad identity of a chemist while specializing in subfields
In simple terms: Be a chemist first, then specialize
Key Takeaway
Value identity over narrow titles
Themes
identity
career
science
specialization
Mood
proud
inspirational
Type
professional
motivational
When to use this quote
- academic advising
- career planning
- lab teamwork
- research collaboration
Key Concepts
disciplinary breadth
professional identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance specialization with a broader professional identity?
- What benefits arise from identifying with a larger field?
A Different Perspective
May overlook depth of expertise in favor of breadth
![“I have always had the feeling that organic chemistry is a very peculiar science, that organic chemists are unlike other men, and there are few occupations that give more satisfactions [sic] than masterly experimentation along the old lines of this highly specialised science.” quote by Lawrence Joseph Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/abd/lawrence-joseph-henderson-4922_chemist_i-have-always-had-the-feeling-that-organ_2396031.jpg)
![“[The] structural theory is of extreme simplicity. It assumes that the molecule is held together by links between one atom and the next: that every kind of atom can form a definite small number of such links: that these can be single, double or triple: that the groups may take up any position…” quote by Nevil Vincent Sidgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d0/nevil-vincent-sidgwick-133243_chemistry_the-structural-theory-is-of-extreme-simp_403895.jpg)
