[He gave us the atom bomb]; what more do you want, mermaids?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rabi joked that achieving a huge scientific goal was enough, asking for no more.
- In plain terms
- He said getting the bomb done is great, so do not ask for fanciful things.
- What can you take from it?
- Appreciate major achievements before demanding more.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is it appropriate to joke about serious topics?
- How do you know when enough is enough?
Another view
Humor can downplay serious ethical implications.
More from Isidor Isaac Rabi
My mother made me a scientist without ever intending to. Every other Jewish mother in Brooklyn would ask her child after school: So? Did you learn anything tod…
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
I think that it's extraordinarily important that we in computer science keep fun in computing. When it started out, it was an awful lot of fun. Of course, the …
Alan PerlisAlan Perlis quote #1 The plans of mice, men and Maureen gang aft a cock-up.
Maureen LipmanMaureen Lipman quote #1 When I invite a woman to dinner I expect her to look at my face. That's the price she has to pay!
Groucho MarxGroucho Marx quote #1