--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who are not shocked when they first…" description: "\"Those who are not shocked when they first come across quantum theory cannot possibly have understood it.\" — Niels Bohr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/niels-bohr-4542_firsts_those-who-are-not-shocked-when-they-firs_708782.png" --- # Those who are not shocked when they first come across… ![“Those who are not shocked when they first come across quantum theory cannot possibly have understood it.” quote by Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/niels-bohr-4542_firsts_those-who-are-not-shocked-when-they-firs_708782.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/niels-bohr-4542_firsts_those-who-are-not-shocked-when-they-firs_708782.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/niels-bohr-4542_firsts_those-who-are-not-shocked-when-they-firs_708782.png) > “Those who are not shocked when they first come across quantum theory cannot possibly have understood it.” [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that true comprehension of quantum theory requires a sense of wonder and emotional impact, not just intellectual acceptance. **In simple terms:** Understanding quantum physics needs emotional shock. Key Takeaway Embrace curiosity and surprise in learning. Themes science philosophy quantum mechanics learning Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - teaching physics - public science talks - personal study of quantum theory Key Concepts epistemology paradoxical reality Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of quantum theory surprise you? - How does emotional response aid scientific insight? A Different Perspective Some may argue rational analysis is sufficient without emotional reaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Quantum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum/) [Quantum theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum-theory/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [There is something else that is trying to come through - that lure of becoming - and it does come from the realm of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-houston/there-is-something-else-that-is-trying-to-come-through-that-lure-of/) [Jean Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-houston/) > [Anyone not shocked by quantum mechanics has not yet understood it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/anyone-not-shocked-by-quantum-mechanics-has-not-yet-understood-it/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [...I told him a story of two people. 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There is only an abstract quantum physical description.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/when-asked-about-an-underlying-quantum-world-bohr-would-answer-there/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [The very nature of the quantum theory ... forces us to regard the space-time coordination and the claim of causality, the union of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/the-very-nature-of-the-quantum-theory-forces-us-to-regard-the-space/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [ Anybody who is not shocked by this subject has failed to understand it. \[of quantum mechanics\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/anybody-who-is-not-shocked-by-this-subject-has-failed-to-understand/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/if-quantum-mechanics-hasn-t-profoundly-shocked-you-you-haven-t-3/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [If we do get a quantum theory of spacetime, it should answer some of the deepest philosophical questions that we have, like what happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/if-we-do-get-a-quantum-theory-of-spacetime-it-should-answer-some-of/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [The Theory of Relativity confers an absolute meaning on a magnitude which in classical theory has only a relative significance: the velocity of light.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-planck/the-theory-of-relativity-confers-an-absolute-meaning-on-a-magnitude/) [Max Planck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-planck/) > [The words are strung together, with their own special grammar-the laws of quantum theory-to form sentences, which are molecules. 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It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/every-great-and-deep-difficulty-bears-in-itself-it-s-own-solution-it/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [It is a great pity that human beings cannot find all of their satisfaction in scientific contemplativeness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/it-is-a-great-pity-that-human-beings-cannot-find-all-of-their/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [Anyone not shocked by quantum mechanics has not yet understood it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/anyone-not-shocked-by-quantum-mechanics-has-not-yet-understood-it/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [The meaning of life consists in the fact that it makes no sense to say that life has no meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/the-meaning-of-life-consists-in-the-fact-that-it-makes-no-sense-to/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [Technology has advanced more in the last thirty years than in the previous two thousand. The exponential increase in advancement will only continue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/technology-has-advanced-more-in-the-last-thirty-years-than-in-the/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [ Anybody who is not shocked by this subject has failed to understand it. \[of quantum mechanics\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/anybody-who-is-not-shocked-by-this-subject-has-failed-to-understand/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [When it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry. 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