Top 50 quotes by Severo Ochoa

Interesting reflections of Severo Ochoa, one of the most important Spanish researchers.

Severo Ochoa de Albornoz was recognized as one of the greatest names in the world of medicine and science, thanks to his studies and experiments that led him to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Although he was a doctor of Spanish origin, he was later naturalized as an American citizen, due to the conflicts in his country at the time.

In this article you will find a selection of phrases by Severo Ochoa from which to learn more about the life of this researcher.

The most memorable quotes by Severo Ochoa

Due to his professional and personal career, this scientist left in his wake great thoughts on various topics of life. For this reason, we will now review the most interesting reflections and quotes by Severo Ochoa.

1. Love is physics and chemistry.

On the origin of love.

2. There has been much discussion about what the mission of the University is. For me it basically means the same one that, with his great clairvoyance and characteristic brilliance, Ortega defined more than fifty years ago. It can be summed up in a few words: to disseminate and create culture. Cajal saw it in the same way.

A reflection on the role of universities in educating their students.

I was born in Asturias and for me "reality" naturally begins with Asturias.

He never forgot his birthplace.

4. Although I was born in a street of the town of Luarca near the church, my awareness of Asturias begins in the neighboring village of Villar, on the plateau that ends in abrupt and beautiful cliff constantly beaten at its base by the sea.

Talking about the beautiful landscape of his native place.

5. As for science, New York offers an impressive variety of seminars and conferences.

Having New York as an epitome of scientific development.

6. Why be content to live in drag when you feel the yearning to fly?

Never settle for conformity.

• Related article, "What is imagination?"

7. I always say that everything that contributes to increase human knowledge should be done, even if you don't know what may come behind it.

All positive or negative knowledge is necessary.

8. To console myself with Carmen's death would seem to me to be a betrayal of her.

On moving on after the death of his wife.

9. It would be very difficult for my wife and me to get used to living somewhere else now.

After so many years, New York became home.

10. Despite our long residence outside Spain, for many years now we have returned annually or biannually for periods ranging from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

What was once their home is now just a pleasant memory.

11. Science is always worthwhile because its discoveries, sooner or later, always apply.

The importance of science.

12. This is not to say that I have a bad time, no. I travel, listen to music, etc.

Taking the positive side behind everything. What matters is that we get ahead.

13. There are scientists who are very religious, even extremely so, and others who are not.

Personal religious beliefs should not be at odds with science.

14. We often go to Asturias, which we find more and more beautiful and welcoming. (...) In Asturias we had and still have very dear family and dear friends.

A place that still means a lot to them.

15. Spaniards are intolerant, they want others to think like them.

A criticism of the attitude of some Spaniards at the time.

16. That did not fall from the sky, it fell to me from the greatest scientific personality that Spain has ever had and one of the greatest that the world has ever had, who was Don Santiago Ramón y Cajal, and from reading his works.

Good things are achieved through our effort, preparation and perseverance.preparation and perseverance.

17. In principle, research needs more heads than means.

Many researchers do not seek fame.

18. That's where we used to spend our summers for as long as I can remember. To the south, the mountain, soft, with all shades of green imaginable; to the north, the Cantabrian Sea, calm to blue at times, more often gray, blackish and threatening.

Very memorable and peaceful summers.

19. I've gotten used to going on living because I'm too much of a coward to get out of the way.

His real motivation for clinging to life after his wife's death.

20. My wife, Carmen Cobián, is also Asturian, from Gijón. We got married, in traditional Asturian, in the grotto of Covadonga.

A particular aspect they both had in common.

21. I was madly in love with Carmen all my life.

A love that lasted all the time they were together and beyond.

22. There is a defense investigation, what in the United States is called classified, that is, secret.

Talking about the U.S. tendency to classify many of its studies as secret.

23. With the passing of the years my memory returns to Villar, where I had saturated my senses with "Nature" and where my mind began to mature and my spirit was molded through reading and study.

The environment that marked him for life and the one that brought him most peace when he recalled it in his memory.

24. My first memories are of Asturias, specifically Gijón and Luarca.

Talking about his place of origin.

25. No city can offer so much in every facet of cultural and intellectual life.

A reference to life in New York.

26. I do not believe in the supernatural.

Being firm in the face of his non-beliefs.

27. I don't work anymore, but I talk a lot with young scientists, give them advice if necessary.

The way he lived in the last years of his life.

28. Time is busy. But I have no interest in life.

The way he felt his reality after the loss of Carmen.

29. Now, when one is doing research, one does not think much about whether the application of one's discoveries can be dangerous.

Many simple or innocent discoveries ended up being lethal weapons.

30. In Gijón, during the winter, he went to school, in Luarca he spent the summer.

The way his youth developed.

31. Naturally, we must try to prevent the use of that which may be harmful to mankind.

Any scientific discovery that is detrimental to mankind must be contained.

32. I have devoted myself to the investigation of life, and I do not know why or for what purpose it exists.

Life is a perpetual mystery.

33. I do not seek easy consolation. I prefer not to have comfort.

His idea of coping was to face things.

34. Every time I answer negatively to such a question I receive a lot of letters trying to convince me that I am wrong.

About the replies to the comments that showed their disagreement.

35. My wife was a believer, I was not; but we always lived very happily, respecting each other's ideas.

The fact that we are adherents of a religion is not an impediment to disrespect the beliefs of others.

36. In the beginning, when we had more energy, we did not miss any important exhibition.

Showing the adventurous enthusiasm they had as a couple.

37. There I began to read original research papers in a French journal, the Journal de Physiologie et Pathologie Génerale, to which I had subscribed when I was in my second year of medical school.

His first approach to science and medicine was of biographical interest.of biographical interest.

38. A woman can change a man's life trajectory.

The impact one person has on another.

39. Despite the difficulties inherent in living in big cities, I have no regrets.

Although metropolises are full of noise and hustle and bustle, it was there that Ochoa found his place.

40. And now life without her is no life at all.

One of Seero Ochoa's phrases about the Pain of loss. the pain of the loss of a loved one.

41. In these times, when the scientific literature has grown so large that it is impossible to keep abreast of progress even in your own field, seminars, conferences and other types of meetings are essential to stay informed.

Things are constantly changing and so we need to seek information on a daily basis.

42. My basic truth is that all time is an expanding now.

Your way of looking at time.

43. Man first learns in life to walk and talk. Later, to sit quietly and keep your mouth shut.

On keeping calm and prudence in the most necessary moments.

44. It was never a problem, and we didn't try to convince each other. Sometimes she would forget to go to mass and I would say, "Carmen, mass..."

Ochoa's interaction with his religious wife.

45. That happens in many countries. Although I do not think that in those places anyone is forced to work, because a scientist cannot be forced to do what he does not want to do. But there are people who are asked for that dedication with moral blackmail.... And when the so-called patriotism is behind it, it's a bad thing...

Talking about the manipulation of scientists.

46. Of course, the scientist must have ethical approaches.

Ethics must be an essential part of scientific work.

47. I believe that those who knowingly collaborate to develop something for destructive purposes, as happened with the atomic bomb, are to be condemned.

A reference to the acts of some scientists seen from a moral point of view..

48. I have lived in New York for half my life.

New York as a second home.

49. We often visited not only the museums, but also the art galleries of the city. Moreover, we rarely missed a chamber music recital, a play, or a symphony or choral concert.

Ochoa's daily life with Carmen.

50. I believe we are that, and nothing more, physics and chemistry.

What, according to the scientist, we really are.