Cases Quote by John Charles Polanyi
![“A wise man in China asked his gardener to plant a shrub. The gardener objected that it only flowered once in a hundred years. "In that case," said the wise man, "plant it immediately." [On the importance of fundamental research.]” quote by John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c93/john-charles-polanyi-14475_cases_a-wise-man-in-china-asked-his-gardener-t_1049324.jpg)
“A wise man in China asked his gardener to plant a shrub. The gardener objected that it only flowered once in a hundred years. "In that case," said the wise man, "plant it immediately." [On the importance of fundamental research.]”
About This Quote
The wise man values fundamental research despite slow visible results.
In simple terms: Invest in basic research now.
Key Takeaway
Support long-term scientific inquiry.
Themes
science
patience
innovation
research
future
Mood
inspirational
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- grant proposals
- academic planning
- policy making
Key Concepts
fundamental research
risk tolerance
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is patience essential in research?
- How can we balance short-term needs with long-term discovery?
A Different Perspective
Funding may be scarce and results delayed.
![“...[T]he right way is to give one's attention first to the highest good of the young, just as you expect a good gardener to give his attention first to the young plants, and after that to the others. - Socrates” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a11/plato-103_focus_t-he-right-way-is-to-give-one-s-attentio_2731088.jpg)
![“[Intellectual courage is] the quality that allows one to believe in one's judgement in the face of disappointment and widespread skepticism. Intellectual courage is even rarer than physical courage.” quote by John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/969/john-charles-polanyi-14475_believe_intellectual-courage-is-the-quality-that_291394.jpg)
![“[As in the case of] alcohol prohibition, illegality has driven organized crime, sent countless people to jail, and killed many thousands. Repression does not work.” quote by Sam Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/212/sam-branson-36458_alcohol_as-in-the-case-of-alcohol-prohibition-il_8703.jpg)
