Air Quote by Primo Levi
“The trade of chemist (fortified, in my case, by the experience of Auschwitz), teaches you to overcome, indeed to ignore, certain revulsions that are neither necessary or congenital: matter is matter, neither noble nor vile, infinitely transformable, and its proximate origin is of no importance whatsoever. Nitrogen is nitrogen, it passes miraculously from the air into plants, from these into animals, and from animals into us; when its function in our body is exhausted, we eliminate it, but it still remains nitrogen, aseptic, innocent.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Chemist, 1965
Matter is indifferent; its transformation is neutral, and our reactions to it are shaped by experience.
In simple terms: Matter changes without moral value; our attitudes are learned.
Key Takeaway
Recognize neutrality of physical processes.
Themes
science
morality
humanity
history
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- laboratory work
- ethical debates
- personal memoir
Key Concepts
chemical transformation
ethical relativism
post‑war reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing matter’s neutrality affect ethical choices?
- What responsibilities arise from scientific knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on neutrality may ignore moral implications.
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