Thomas Edison Quotes

59 Sourced Quotes

There will one day spring from the brain of science a machine or force so fearful in its potentialities, so absolutely terrifying, that even man, the fighter, who will dare torture and death in order to inflict torture and death, will be appalled, and so abandon war forever.

Thomas Edison
We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything.

Thomas Edison
I do not believe in the God of the theologians; but that there is a Supreme Intelligence I do not doubt

Thomas Edison
Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly.

Thomas Edison
Through all the years of experimenting and research, I never once made a discovery. I start where the last man left off. … All my work was deductive, and the results I achieved were those of invention pure and simple.

Thomas Edison
If our nation can issue a dollar bond, it can issue a dollar bill. The element that makes the bond good, makes the bill good, also. The difference between the bond and the bill is the bond lets money brokers collect twice the amount of the bond and an additional 20%, whereas the currency pays nobody but those who contribute directly in some useful way. … It is absurd to say our country can issue $30 million in bonds and not $30 million in currency. Both are promises to pay, but one promise fattens the usurers and the other helps the people.

Thomas Edison
To Monsieur Eiffel the Engineer, the brave builder of so gigantic and original a specimen of modern Engineering from one who has the greatest respect and admiration for all Engineers including the Great Engineer the Bon Dieu.

Thomas Edison
It is astonishing what an effort it seems to be for many people to put their brains definitely and systematically to work.

Thomas Edison
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

Thomas Edison