Story of Scientists - Marie Curie

Author: Tian Zhansheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Her greatest scientific achievement in her life—proving the existence of radioactive elements and isolating them—was made possible not only by bold intuition but also by her passion and perseverance in working under unimaginable extreme difficulties. Such difficulties are rare in the history of experimental science. —Albert Einstein
When we think of Marie Curie, we first consider her outstanding contributions to science, particularly her remarkable achievement of winning the Nobel Prize twice for successfully isolating radioactive elements. However, what the world admires and respects even more is her noble character—great, selfless, and modest. Her perseverance and unwavering dedication in scientific exploration are equally admirable.
When evaluating Marie Curie’s life, Albert Einstein spoke with great excitement and deep respect: When a figure as noble as Marie Curie concludes her life, we are not merely satisfied with remembering her work’s contributions to humanity. The significance of such a person for the times and historical progress, in terms of morality, may be even greater than mere intellectual achievements. Even the latter depend heavily on character to a degree far beyond what is commonly believed. My admiration for her greatness as a person has grown. Her strength, her purity of will, her self-discipline, her objectivity, and her integrity—all these rare qualities are concentrated in her. Once she recognizes a path as correct, she follows it uncompromisingly and with extraordinary perseverance. Her greatest scientific achievements were made possible not only by bold intuition but also by her passion for working under unimaginable extreme difficulties. Such difficulties are rare in the history of science.
If even a small part of Marie Curie’s moral strength and passion existed among European intellectuals, Europe would face a bright future. In a speech of nearly 600 words, Einstein devoted only a few dozen words to Curie’s scientific achievements, the rest praising her moral strength. This shows that Marie Curie’s noble character, like her outstanding scientific accomplishments, shines with an admirable brilliance in the history of human civilization.