Quotes by Irving Langmuir

• The scientist is motivated primarily by curiosity and a desire for truth.
• This coupling together of science with international peace, is, I think, particularly significant.
• Medicine also disregards national boundaries.
• History proves abundantly that pure science, undertaken without regard to applications to human needs, is usually ultimately of direct benefit to mankind.
• Science, almost from its beginnings, has been truly international in character. National prejudices disappear completely in the scientist's search for truth.
• And literature frequently rises to heights that make it international.
• To my mind, the most important aspect of the Nobel Awards is that they bring home to the masses of the peoples of all nations, a realization of their common interests. They carry to those who have no direct contact with science the international spirit.
• Happy indeed is the scientist who not only has the pleasures which I have enumerated, but who also wins the recognition of fellow scientists and of the mankind which ultimately benefits from his endeavors.