Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and futurist who made significant contributions to the development of the modern electric power system. He was known for his groundbreaking work in the field of electromagnetism and his numerous inventions, including the Tesla coil. Here are the top 10 quotes by Nikola Tesla:
1. “The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.”
This quote highlights Tesla’s vision and commitment to advancing technology and improving the world for future generations.
2. “The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence.”
Tesla believed that there were many aspects of reality that were not yet understood by science, and that studying these phenomena could lead to significant breakthroughs.
3. “The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter – for the future.”
Tesla understood that scientific progress often takes time and patience, and that true innovation requires a long-term perspective.
4. “Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more.”
This quote emphasizes the importance of balance and the interdependence of different aspects of life.
5. “The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. No big laboratory is needed in which to think. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.”
Tesla believed that solitude and introspection were important for fostering creativity and original thinking.
6. “The spread of civilization may be likened to a fire; first, a feeble spark, next a flickering flame, then a mighty blaze, ever increasing in speed and power.”
This quote highlights the transformative power of civilization and the potential for rapid progress and growth.
7. “The day when we shall know exactly what electricity is will chronicle an event probably greater, more important than any other recorded in the history of the human race.”
Tesla believed that understanding the nature of electricity would be a major milestone in human history.
8. “I don’t care that they stole my idea . . I care that they don’t have any of their own.”
Tesla valued creativity and originality, and believed that true innovation was driven by a desire to create something new and valuable.
9. “The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences. Willful and predetermined though they appear, his actions are governed not from within, but from without. He is like a float tossed about by the waves of a turbulent sea.”
This quote highlights Tesla’s belief in the power of external influences to shape human behavior and decision-making.
10. “The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.”
This quote highlights Tesla’s vision and commitment to advancing technology and improving the world for future generations.
These quotes by Nikola Tesla demonstrate his forward-thinking mindset, his commitment to innovation, and his belief in the power of science and technology to transform the world. His legacy continues to inspire and influence scientists, engineers, and innovators around the world.