In order to succeed, it is not necessary to be much cleverer than other people. All you have to be is one day ahead of them.

The ten commandments according to Leó Szilárd

1. Recognize the connections of things and laws of conduct of men, so that you may know what you are doing.

2. Let your acts be directed toward a worthy goal, but do not ask if they will reach it; they are to be models and examples, not means to an end.

3. Speak to all men as you do to yourself, with no concern for the effect you make, so that you do not shut them out from your world; lest in isolation the meaning of life slips out of sight and you lose the belief in the perfection of creation.

4. Do not destroy what you cannot create.

5. Touch no dish, except that you are hungry.

6. Do not covet what you cannot have.

7. Do not lie without need.

8. Honor children. Listen reverently to their words and speak to them with infinite love.

9.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.

10. Lead your life with a gentle hand and be ready to leave whenever you are called.

Leo Szilard 'Die Stimme der Delphine.' Utopische Erzählungen. Rowohit Taschenbuch Verlag. 1963. Translated by Dr. Jacob Bronowski.

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

There are those who think the important thing about the Buddha is the way he sat. There are others who think the important thing about the Buddha is the way he thought.

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.

Three stages of truth for scientists:

(1) It's not true.

(2) If it is true, it's not very important.

(3) We knew it all along.