A scientist's aim in a discussion with his colleagues is not to persuade, but to clarify.
Leo Szilard

Do your work for six years; but in the seventh, go into solitude or among strangers, so that the memory of your friends does not hinder you from being what you have become.
Leo Szilard

Don't lie if you don't have to.
Leo Szilard

I'm all in favor of the democratic principle that one idiot is as good as one genius, but I draw the line when someone takes the next step and concludes that two idiots are better than one genius.
Leo Szilard

If one knows only what one is told, one does not know enough to be able to arrive at a well-balanced decision.
Leo Szilard

If you want to succeed in the world, you don't have to be much cleverer than other people. You just have to be one day earlier.
Leo Szilard

Pronouncement of experts to the effect that something cannot be done has always irritated me.
Leo Szilard

We turned the switch, saw the flashes, watched for ten minutes, then switched everything off and went home. That night I knew the world was headed for sorrow.
Leo Szilard