New things Quote by J.M.R. Higgs
““The great German physicist Max Planck had been advised by his lecturer, the marvellously named Philipp von Jolly, not to pursue the study of physics because “almost everything is already discovered, and all that remains is to fill a few unimportant holes.” Planck replied that he had no wish to discover new things, only to understand the known fundamentals of the field better. Perhaps unaware of the old maxim that if you want to make God laugh you tell him your plans, he went on to become a founding father of quantum physics. Scientists””
About This Quote
The anecdote illustrates that dismissing “old” knowledge can hinder breakthroughs; curiosity drives progress despite claims of completeness.
In simple terms: Question assumptions; keep exploring.
Key Takeaway
Never stop seeking new understanding.
Themes
science
curiosity
innovation
Mood
inquisitive
optimistic
Type
scientific
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research projects
- education
- career development
- problem solving
Key Concepts
quantum physics
historical anecdotes
paradigm shifts
Questions to Reflect On
- What “unimportant holes” might you be overlooking?
- How can you balance known fundamentals with new inquiry?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify historical context.
![“[Max Planck] was one of the finest people I have ever known... but he really didn't understand physics, [because] during the eclipse of 1919 he stayed up all night to see if it would confirm the bending of light by the gravitational field. If he had really understood [general relativity], he would…” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d8/albert-einstein-33_all-night_max-planck-was-one-of-the-finest-people_2647781.jpg)
