Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.
Alexander FlemingRead
One sometimes finds what one is not looking for. When I woke up just after dawn on Sept. 28, 1928, I certainly didn’t plan to revolutionize all medicine by discovering the world’s first antibiotic, or bacteria killer. But I guess that was exactly what I did.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unexpected discoveries can lead to significant advancements.
This quote reflects the notion that sometimes the most groundbreaking innovations occur when we are not actively seeking them. Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin exemplifies how serendipity and unforeseen circumstances can lead to monumental shifts in fields like medicine, highlighting the importance of remaining open to new possibilities.
Themes
DiscoverySerendipityMedicineInnovationUnexpected
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about scientific research, one could emphasize the importance of being open to unexpected findings by quoting Fleming.
More from Alexander Fleming
All quotes →Suggested remedy for the common cold: A good gulp of whiskey at bedtime-it's not very scientific, but it helps.
Alexander FlemingRead
I have been trying to point out that in our lives chance may have an astonishing influence and, if I may offer advice to the young laboratory worker, it would be this-never neglect an extraordinary appearance or happening. It may be-usually is, in fact-a false alarm that leads to nothing, but may on the other hand be the clue provided by fate to lead you to some important advance.
Alexander FlemingRead
It is the lone worker who makes the first advance in a subject: the details may be worked out by a team, but the prime idea is due to the enterprise, thought, and perception of an individual.
Alexander FlemingRead
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