Abraham Pais(1918-2000)

A brilliant physics student at the University of Utrecht when the Nazis came to power. The German authorities ordered that the 14th of June, 1941, would be the last day Jews were allowed to get a Ph.D in Holland. Pais determined to get a Ph.D before this date, because he wanted to get out of Holland to study abroad. On June 9, 1941, he earned his degree, making him the last Jew to receive a doctorate degree in wartime Holland.

Scientists are like pickpockets. God has all the secrets in his pockets, and we try to pick them. You make an assumption in science -- and it is an assumption -- that there are fundamental laws you can find out. You have an idea you think can be proved, and you try to prove it. Depending on how it goes, you make a step forward or you make a fool of yourself. Nature doesn't care whether you're right or wrong. Nature is the way it is, and you had better be smart enough to get a glimpse.