Discovery Quote by Max Planck
“Scientific discovery and scientific knowledge have been achieved only by those who have gone in pursuit of it without any practical purpose whatsoever in view.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Foundations of Quantum Theory, 1918
Claims scientific breakthroughs arise from curiosity without immediate practical aims.
In simple terms: Pure curiosity drives discovery.
Pursue knowledge for its own sake.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research labs
- academic study
- intellectual inquiry
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What pure‑curiosity question excites you?
- How can society support non‑practical research?
Funding may favor applied projects over pure research.