Nikola Tesla Quotes
135 quotes
Nikola Tesla
Inventor and electrical engineer ahead of his time
135 Quotes
Of all frictional resistances, the one that most retards human movement is ignorance. Not without reason is education called the locomotive of progress
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, Century Illustrated Magazine, 1900
All that was great in the past was ridiculed, condemned, combated, suppressed—only to emerge all the more powerfully, all the more triumphantly from the struggle
— A Machine to End War, Liberty Magazine
The individual is ephemeral, races and nations come and pass away, but man remains
— My Inventions, Part VI
There is no conflict between the ideal of religion and the ideal of science, but science is opposed to theological dogmas because science is founded on fact
— Liberty Magazine, February 1935
If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.
— Interview with John Smith, 1942
Every living being is an engine geared to the wheelwork of the universe
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy (The Century Magazine, 1900)
If you only knew the splendour of the three, the six and the nine, then you would have a key to the universe
— Letter to a friend, quoted in O'Neill's Prodigal Genius
The day when we shall know exactly what electricity is will chronicle an event probably greater, more important than any other recorded in the history of the human race
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy (The Century Magazine, June 1900)
Intelligent people tend to have less friends than the average person. The smarter you are, the more selective you become
— Attributed to Tesla (widely circulated; origins debated)
The moment one man compels another to act as he chooses, there is a breach of liberty
— A New System of Alternate Current Motors and Transformers, 1888
With ideas it is like with dizzy heights you climb: at first they cause you discomfort and you are anxious to get down, distrustful of your own powers; but soon the remoteness of the turmoil of life and the inspiring influence of the altitude calm your blood; your step gets firm and sure and you begin to look—for dizzier heights
— My Inventions (Electrical Experimenter, 1919)
The spread of wireless transmission of energy will revolutionize the world just as greatly as the telegraph did in its time
— Century Magazine, June 1900
Electric power is everywhere present in unlimited quantities and can drive the world’s machinery without the need of coal, oil, gas, or any other of the common fuels
— Liberty Magazine Interview, 1935
If we only knew the magnificence of the numbers 3, 6, and 9, then you would have the key to the universe
— Anecdotal/Attributed
The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter—for the future
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, The Century Magazine, June 1900
Of all things I liked books best
— My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla, Chapter 1
The spread of civilization may be likened to a fire; first, a feeble spark, next a flickering flame, then a mighty blaze, ever increasing in speed and power
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
Great moments are born great opportunities
— Nikola Tesla, Electrical World interview, 1893
Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain
— My Inventions (Electrical Experimenter, 1919)
My method is different. I do not rush into actual work. When I get an idea, I start at once building it up in my imagination and make improvements and operate the device in my mind
— My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla, Chapter 4
If your hate could be turned into electricity, it would light up the whole world
— As quoted in Tesla: Man Out of Time by Margaret Cheney
The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind
— My Inventions, Chapter 5
There is something within me that might be illusion as it is often the case with young enthusiastic people, but if I would be fortunate to achieve some of my ideals, it would be on the behalf of the whole of humanity
— Letter to his mother, 1882
Let your first act every morning be to make the following resolve for the day: I shall not fear anyone on Earth. I shall fear only God. I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering
— Quoted in The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, 1900
The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.
— A Visit to Nikola Tesla, Century Magazine, 1900
It is not in the shallow physical imitation of men that women will assert first their equality and later their superiority, but in the awakening of the intellect of women
— Collier’s Weekly, 1926
Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain. The ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of human nature to human needs
— My Inventions
Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, Century Magazine, June 1900
The scientists from Franklin to Morse were clear thinkers and did not produce erroneous theories. The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane
— Modern Mechanics and Inventions, July 1934
Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy (The Century Magazine, June 1900)
My brain is only a receiver. In the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration
— Interview with Nikola Tesla, 1932, magazine 'Aldo Moraglio'
We build but to tear down. Most of our work and resource is squandered. Our onward march is marked by devastation. Everywhere there is an appalling loss of time, effort and life. A cheerless view, but true
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, The Century Magazine, June 1900
Peace can only come as a natural consequence of universal enlightenment
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy (The Century Magazine, 1900)
Instinct is something which transcends knowledge
— My Inventions
The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and if we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power
— My Inventions (Electrical Experimenter, 1919)
The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane
— Modern Thinker, 1919
The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention
— My Inventions, Part V
The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences
— My Inventions
What we now want is closer contact and better understanding between individuals and communities all over the earth, and the elimination of egoism and pride which is always prone to plunge the world into primeval barbarism and strife
— Liberty magazine interview, 1935
Money does not represent such a value as men have placed upon it. All my money has been invested into experiments with which I have made new discoveries enabling mankind to have a little easier life
— As quoted in 'Tesla, Man Out of Time' by Margaret Cheney
If your hate could be turned into electricity, it would light up the whole world
— Liberty Magazine Interview, 1935
The spread of civilization may be likened to a fire; first, a feeble spark, next a flickering flame, then a mighty blaze, ever increasing in speed and power
— Century Magazine, June 1900
The harness of waterfalls is the most economical method known for drawing energy from the sun
— My Inventions, Electrical Experimenter, 1919
The future will show whether my forecast is as accurate now as it has proved heretofore
— Century Magazine Interview, 1900
Let us not forget that our human life is like a river which flows, without ceasing, into the great ocean of time, leaving only its memory in the sand
— Lecture at the Institute of Immigrant Welfare, 1932
Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments
— New York Times, July 11, 1935
We crave for new sensations but soon become indifferent to them. The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences.
— My Inventions, Chapter 6
The present is theirs; the future, for which I have really worked, is mine
— A Visit to Nikola Tesla, 1895 (interview)
I do not care that they stole my idea. I care that they do not have any of their own
— As quoted in various interviews and biographies
Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I have really worked, is mine.
— A Visit to Nikola Tesla, Century Magazine, 1900
Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more
— A Machine to End War, Liberty (magazine)
The motion of a body is the result of the joint action of matter and force; and, likewise, the movement called life is the result of the interaction of the individual and the environment
— My Inventions, The Electrical Experimenter, 1919, Chapter 2
The history of science shows that theories are perishable. With every new truth that is revealed, we get a better understanding of nature and our conceptions and views are modified
— Radio Power Will Revolutionize the World, Modern Mechanics and Inventions, 1934
Our senses enable us to perceive only a minute portion of the outside world
— My Inventions
The feeling is constantly growing on me that I had been the first to hear the greeting of one planet to another
— My Inventions
We are whirling through endless space, with an inconceivable speed, all around us everything is spinning, everything is moving, everywhere is energy
— My Inventions, Chapter 5
The future will show whether my forecast is as accurate now as it has proved heretofore
— Radio Power Will Revolutionize the World, Modern Mechanics and Inventions, July 1934
Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments
— Letter to the American Red Cross, Christmas 1900
What one man calls God, another calls the laws of physics
— A Machine to End War (Liberty Magazine Interview, 1935)
I am credited with being one of the hardest workers and perhaps I am, if thought is the equivalent of labor, for I have devoted to it almost all of my waking hours
— My Inventions, Part One
The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
The human brain is particularly susceptible to certain musical and rhythmic stimuli which can be utilized, under certain conditions, for therapeutic effects
— Tesla’s lecture before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 1891
The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind
— My Inventions, Chapter 6
Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain
— My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla, Chapter 5
Let us remember that our first duty is to humanity
— A Means for Furthering Peace, Electrical World and Engineer, January 1905
The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.
— My Inventions
Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves
— My Inventions, Chapter 2
Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments
— Letter to the American Red Cross, 1917
We are all one. Only egos, beliefs, and fears separate us
— Attributed; Tesla Society archives
Life is and will ever remain an equation incapable of solution, but it contains certain known factors
— My Inventions
Science is but a perversion of itself unless it has, as its ultimate goal, the betterment of humanity
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
What one man calls God, another calls the laws of physics
— A Machine to End War, Liberty Magazine, 1935
Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
Of all things, I liked books best.
— My Inventions, Chapter 1
The spread of civilization may be likened to a fire; first, a feeble spark, next a flickering flame, then a mighty blaze, ever increasing in speed and power.
— Century Magazine
Life is and will ever remain an equation incapable of solution, but it contains certain known factors
— A Machine to End War, Liberty Magazine, 1935
The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind
— My Inventions
Let us hope that we shall soon be in a position to transmit wireless messages all over the world so simply that any individual can carry and operate his own apparatus
— Electrical World and Engineer, 1905
The future will show that I was right. Let the future tell the truth and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments
— A Visit to Nikola Tesla by John J. O’Neill, The World To-day, 1911
I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success.
— My Inventions
Let one man be given charge of the earth and he will create a race after his own image
— My Inventions (Electrical Experimenter, 1919)
Nature may reach the same result in many ways
— Experiments With Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency, Lecture 1892
When wireless is perfectly applied, the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, capable of response in every one of its parts
— Collier's Weekly, 1926
The spread of civilisation may be likened to a fire; first, a feeble spark, next a flickering flame, then a mighty blaze, ever increasing in speed and power
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, The Century Magazine, June 1900
The harness of waterfalls is the most economical method known for drawing energy from the sun
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and if we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power
— My Inventions
Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain
— My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla, Chapter 4
I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success
— My Inventions, Chapter 7
As I review the events of my past life I realize how subtle are the influences that shape our destinies
— My Inventions, Chapter 1
The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and if we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power
— My Inventions
The progressive, mutual, and vital forces of nature are always at work to give us new knowledge and greater power
— Century Magazine, June 1900
Let us hope that we shall soon be in a position to transmit wireless messages all over the world so simply that any individual can carry and operate his own apparatus
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
I am credited with being one of the hardest workers and perhaps I am, if thought is the equivalent of labor, for I have devoted to it almost all of my waking hours
— My Inventions, The Electrical Experimenter, 1919, Chapter 3
The day when we shall know exactly what electricity is will chronicle an event probably greater, more important than any other recorded in the history of the human race
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, The Century Magazine, June 1900
One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane
— My Inventions
Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain.
— My Inventions, Chapter 2
The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence
— As quoted in several writings and attributed interviews
When wireless is perfectly applied, the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, capable of response in every one of its parts.
— Collier's Weekly, 1926 Interview
Let your first act every morning be to make the following resolve for the day: I shall not fear anyone on Earth. I shall fear only God. I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.
— Quoted in The New York Times, 1931
Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments
— New York World interview, 1935
We wind a simple ring of iron with coils; we establish the connections to the generator, and with wonder and delight we note the effects of strange forces; we see how the magnetism rises and falls, we hear the whirring of the machines, and observe their powerful effects
— Lecture, The New York Academy of Sciences, 1897
The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind
— My Inventions, Part V
The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter—for the future
— A Machine to End War (Liberty Magazine, 1937)
One may feel a sudden wave of sadness, another experience a powerful uplifting of the spirit. The cause may be a distant event unperceived by the conscious mind
— Problem of Increasing Human Energy
The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence.
— Interview with John Smith, 1899
Let your mind be ever creative, inventive, and ever inspired to higher things
— Speech at the Franklin Institute, 1893
Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, 1900
The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention
— My Inventions, 1919
When wireless is perfectly applied, the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, capable of response in every one of its parts
— Collier's Weekly, January 30, 1926
Let your food be as medicine, not your medicine as food
— Interview with Nikola Tesla by John Smith, Liberty Magazine, 1935
The practical success of an idea, irrespective of its inherent possibilities, depends on the attitude of the contemporaries. We are creatures of sentiment and impression and our logic always follows our emotions
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
Peace can only come as a natural consequence of universal enlightenment and merging of races
— A Machine to End War (Liberty Magazine Interview, 1935)
I do not care that they stole my idea. I care that they do not have any of their own.
— Attributed to Tesla in various biographies
Our first endeavors are purely instinctive, promptings of an imagination vivid and undisciplined
— My Inventions
The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
The marvels of yesterday are today common occurrences
— Experiments With Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency (lecture)
The development of man is vitally dependent on invention. It is the most important product of his creative brain.
— My Inventions, Chapter 3
In the twenty-first century, the robot will take the place which slave labor occupied in ancient civilization
— Modern Mechanix and Inventions, 1935
Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable.
— My Inventions, Chapter 5
As I review the events of my past life I realize how subtle are the influences that shape our destinies
— My Inventions, Chapter 1
The history of science shows that theories are perishable. With every new truth that is revealed, we get a better understanding of nature and our conceptions and views are modified
— Modern Inventions, Electrical Experimenter, 1919
What we now want is closer contact and better understanding between individuals and communities all over the earth, and the elimination of egoism and pride which is always prone to plunge the world into primeval barbarism and strife
— The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
Our senses, however, can only grasp a small portion of the impressions filtered through our bodily organs
— My Inventions, The Electrical Experimenter, 1919, Chapter 5
The feeling is constantly growing on me that I had been the first to hear the greeting of one planet to another
— Interview, Collier's Weekly, February 9, 1901
Let your mind be ever creative, inventive, and ever inspired to higher things
— Speech at the Edison Medal award ceremony, 1917
Nature may reach the same result in many ways
— Experiments With Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency (Lecture, London, 1892)
Life is but a wave in the cosmic ocean
— Private Letter, 1897
The progressive, mutual, and vital forces of nature are always at work to give us new knowledge and greater power.
— Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency
The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences
— Century Magazine, June 1900
The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind
— My Inventions
The history of science shows that theories are perishable. With every new truth that is revealed, we get a better understanding of nature and our conceptions and views are modified
— Modern Mechanics and Inventions, 1934
My method is different. I do not rush into actual work. When I get an idea, I start at once building it up in my imagination
— My Inventions
Money does not represent such a value as men have placed upon it. All my money has been invested into experiments with which I have made new discoveries enabling mankind to have a little easier life
— A Visit to Nikola Tesla by Dragislav L. Petković, 1927
There is no conflict between the ideal of religion and the ideal of science, but science is opposed to theological dogmas because science is founded on fact
— A Machine to End War, Liberty Magazine, February 1935
Anti-social behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world full of conformists
— New York Times Interview (attributed)