Joseph Henry

 The seeds of great discoveries are constantly floating around us, but they only take root in minds well prepared to receive them.

Alexander Kohn, Fortune or Failure

 It is not only the discover´s ability to observe what chance has presented to him. He has to be able to judge the importance of the observation, to have not only the prepared mind, but also a flexible mind.

 The most serious enemy of discovery and scientific attainment based on a new idea is dogma and authority; the accepted dogma of today may be the error of tomorrow.

Maurice Wilkins

 Scientists like to succeed. They like to get the results they hope for, to be recognized for what they have done. But they also know that the greatest success may come from something unexpected, including failure.