Richard Feynman Quotes
Richard Feynman – The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.
Richard Feynman Quotes to Spark Curiosity and Wonder
Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize–winning physicist, was as celebrated for his playful intellect as for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics. Known for his clarity, humour, and relentless curiosity, he believed that true understanding comes from questioning, exploring, and simplifying the complex. Feynman’s ideas continue to inspire students, thinkers, and creatives across the world. His words encourage an attitude of experimentation, intellectual honesty, and joyful discovery—reminding us that learning is most powerful when guided by curiosity rather than fear of mistakes.
10 Quotes on Curiosity, Learning, and Human Insight
1. “If you can’t explain something in simple terms, you don’t understand it.”
A call for clarity and genuine comprehension rather than surface-level knowledge.
2. “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.”
A reminder to stay sceptical of our assumptions and biases.
3. “I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.”
Feynman elevates inquiry above the comfort of certainty.
4. “The pleasure of finding things out.”
A celebration of learning as a joyful process rather than a means to an end.
5. “Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.”
He encourages unconventional, passionate learning.
6. “Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.”
A humorous warning that authority should never replace exploration.
7. “Fall in love with some activity, and do it!”
A prompt to pursue meaningful work with passion and energy.
8. “What I cannot create, I do not understand.”
Feynman emphasises the link between creativity and true mastery.
9. “You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish.”
A reminder to live authentically rather than for approval.
10. “The world is much more interesting than any one science.”
An invitation to look beyond boundaries and embrace the richness of the unknown.
Feynman’s words leave readers with a renewed appreciation for curiosity, honesty, and intellectual freedom. His quotes encourage a willingness to explore boldly, question deeply, and delight in the unknown—qualities that enrich learning, creativity, and everyday life.