Quotes from Vannevar Bush

A belief may be larger than a fact.

To pursue science is not to disparage the things of the spirit. In fact, to pursue science rightly is to furnish the framework on which the spirit may rise.

Fear cannot be banished, but it can be calm and without panic and it can be mitigated by reason and evaluation.

Fear cannot be banished, but it can be calm and without panic; it can be mitigated by reason and evaluation.

the future of science in this country will be determined by our basic educational policy.

If scientific reasoning were limited to the logical processes of arithmetic, we should not get very far in our understanding of the physical world. One might as well attempt to grasp the game of poker entirely by the use of the mathematics of probability.

Improvement in the teaching of science is imperative; for students of latent scientific ability are particularly vulnerable to high school teaching which fails to awaken interest or to provide adequate instruction.

They felt that all boys and girls should be able to feel that, if they have what it takes, there is no limit to the opportunity. A ceiling should not be imposed on a young person's educational opportunities either by limited family means or negative family attitudes.

as a people and a Nation we have not been properly appreciative of intellectual achievement. This awareness and appreciation is not something the Government can legislate into being. We must build it into our national consciousness through our educational system, and until we do, science and all other forms of intellectual activity will lack the firm foundation they require.

In order for great progress to be made on methods and weapons of war, there has to be a system of close joint effort of military and civilian men, especially engineers. The civilians must have independence and the opportunity to explore the bizarre; it is not enough that they be the engineers of contractors to the armed forces. Above all, there must be mutual respect and reliance. This must be present whenever we have to fight again.

Fear cannot be banished, but it can be calm and without panic; it can be mitigated by reason and evaluation.