E. P. Wigner quotes

The miracle of the appropriateness of the language of mathematics for the formulation of the laws of physics is a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve. (E. P. Wigner)
A possible explanation of the physicist's use of mathematics to formulate his laws of nature is that he is a somewhat irresponsible person. As a result, when he finds a connection between two quantities which resembles a connection well-known from mathematics, he will jump at the conclusion that the connection is that discussed in mathematics simply because he does not know of any other similar connection. View quote
E. P. Wigner
The simplicities of natural laws arise through the complexities of the language we use for their expression. View quote
E. P. Wigner
Physics is becoming so unbelievably complex that it is taking longer and longer to train a physicist. It is taking so long, in fact, to train a physicist to the place where he understands the nature of physical problems that he is already too old to solve them. View quote
E. P. Wigner
It is nice to know that the computer understands the problem. But I would like to understand it too. View quote
E. P. Wigner
In science, it is not speed that is the most important. It is the dedication, the commitment, the interest and the will to know something and to understand it - these are the things that come first. View quote
E. P. Wigner
Where in the Schrödinger equation do you put the joy of being alive? View quote
E. P. Wigner
A mind of von Neumann's inexorable logic had to understand and accept much that most of us do not want to accept and do not even wish to understand. View quote
E. P. Wigner
It takes so long to train a physicist to the place where he understands the nature of physical problems that he is already too old to solve them. View quote
E. P. Wigner
A deep sense of humor and an unusual ability for telling stories and jokes endeared Johnny even to casual acquaintances. View quote
E. P. Wigner
A deep sense of humor and an unusual ability for telling stories and jokes endeared Johnny even to casual acquaintances. He could be blunt when necessary, but was never pompous. A mind of von Neumann's inexorable logic had to understand and accept much that most of us do not want to accept and do not even wish to understand. This fact colored many of von Neumann's moral judgments. "It is just as foolish to complain that people are selfish and treacherous as it is to complain that the magnetic field does not increase unless the electric field has a curl. Both are laws of nature." Only scientific intellectual dishonesty and misappropriation of scientific results could rouse his indignation and ire - but these did - and did almost equally whether he himself, or someone else, was wronged. (E. P. Wigner)