Severo Ochoa de Albornoz was recognized for being one of the greatest names in the world of medicine and science, thanks to his studies and experiments that led him to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Although he was a doctor of Spanish origin, he was nationalized as an American some time later, due to the conflicts in his country at that time.
In this article you will find a selection of phrases by Severo Ochoa from which to learn more about the life of this researcher.
Due to his professional and personal career, this scientist left behind great thoughts on various topics in life. Therefore, below we will review the most interesting reflections and quotes from Severo Ochoa.
2. There has been much discussion about what the mission of the University is. For me it means basically the same thing that, with his great clairvoyance and characteristic brilliance, Ortega defined more than fifty years ago. It can be summarized in a few words: that of spreading and creating culture. Cajal saw it in the same way.
A reflection on the role of universities when it comes to educating their students.
3. I was born in Asturias and for me “reality” naturally begins with Asturias.
He never forgot his birthplace.
4. Although I was born on a street in the town of Luarca near the church, my consciousness of Asturias begins in the neighboring village of Villar, on the plateau that ends in an abrupt and beautiful cliff constantly beaten at its base by the sea.
Talking about the beautiful scenery of his native place.
5. When it comes to science, New York offers an impressive variety of seminars and conferences.
Taking New York as an epitome of scientific development.
6. Why be content with living in crawling when we feel the desire to fly?
Never settle for conformism.
7. I always say that everything that contributes to increasing human knowledge must be done, even if we do not know what may come after it.
All positive or negative knowledge is necessary.
8. Consoling myself with Carmen’s death would seem like a betrayal towards her.
About moving on after his wife’s death.
9. It would be very difficult for my wife and me to get used to living somewhere else now.
10. Despite our long residence outside of Spain, for many years now we have returned annually or biannually for periods ranging from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
What was once your home is now just a pleasant memory.
11. Science is always worth it because its discoveries, sooner or later, are always applied.
The importance of science.
12. This does not mean that I have a bad time, no. I travel, listen to music, etc.
Bringing out the positive side behind everything. What matters is that we move forward.
13. There are scientists who are very religious, even extremely religious, and others who are not.
Personal religious beliefs should not clash with science.
14. We frequently go to Asturias, which we find increasingly beautiful and welcoming. (…) In Asturias we had and still have very dear family and dear friends.
A place that still means a lot to them.
15. The Spanish are intolerant, they want others to think like them.
A criticism of the attitude of some Spaniards in their time.
16. That did not fall to me from the sky, it fell to me from the greatest scientific personality that Spain has had and one of the greatest that the world has had, which was Don Santiago Ramón y Cajal, and from the readings of his works.
Good things are achieved through our efforts preparation and perseverance.
17. In principle, research needs more heads than means.
Many researchers do not seek fame.
18. That’s where we spent the summer since I can remember. To the south, the mountains, soft, with every shade of green imaginable; to the north, the Cantabrian Sea, calm to blue at times, more often grey, blackish and menacing.
19. I have gotten used to continuing to live because I am too cowardly to get out of the way.
His true motivation for clinging to life after his wife passed away.
20. My wife, Carmen Cobián, is also Asturian, from Gijón. We got married, in traditional Asturian, in the Covadonga grotto.
A particular aspect that they both had in common.
21. I was madly in love with Carmen my whole life.
A love that lasted the entire time they were together and beyond.
22. There is a defense investigation, what in the United States is called classified, that is, secret.
Talking about the United States’ tendency to classify many of its studies as secret.
23. As the years go by, my memory returns to Villar, where I had saturated my senses with “Nature” and where my mind later began to mature and my spirit to be molded with reading and study.
The atmosphere that marked him for life and the one that brought him the most peace when he recalled it in his memory.
24. My first memories are from Asturias, specifically Gijón and Luarca.
Talking about his place of origin.
25. No city can offer so much in every facet of cultural and intellectual life.
A reference to life in New York.
26. I don’t believe in the supernatural.
Showing firmness in the face of your non-beliefs.
27. I no longer work, but I talk a lot with young scientists, I advise them if necessary.
The way he lived in the last years of his life.
28. Time is busy. But I have no interest in life.
The way he felt his reality after losing Carmen.
29. Now, when one is investigating one does not think much about whether the application of one’s discoveries could be dangerous.
Many simple or innocent discoveries ended up being lethal weapons.
30. In Gijón, during the winter, I went to school, in Luarca I spent the summer.
The way his youth developed.
31. Naturally, attempts must be made to prevent the use of that which may be harmful to humanity.
Any scientific discovery that is harmful to humanity must be contained.
32. I have dedicated myself to investigating life and I do not know why or why it exists.
Life is a perpetual mystery.
33. I do not seek easy consolation. I prefer not to have comfort.
His idea of coping with things was by facing them.
34. Every time I answer a question like this in the negative, I receive a ton of letters trying to convince me that I am wrong.
About the replies to the comments that showed their disagreement.
35. My wife was a believer, I was not; but we always live very happy, respecting our ideas.
The fact that we adhere to a religion is not an impediment to disrespecting the beliefs of others.
36. In the beginning, when we had more energy, we didn’t miss any important exhibitions.
Showing the adventurous enthusiasm they had as a couple.
37. There I began to read original research papers in a French journal, the Journal de Physiologie et Pathologie Génerale, to which I had subscribed when I was studying my second year of medicine.
His first approach to science and medicine of biographical interest.
Related article: “The 15 types of research (and characteristics)”
38. A woman can change a man’s life trajectory.
The impact that one person has on another.
39. Despite the difficulties inherent in life in big cities, I do not regret it.
Although metropolises are full of noise and hustle and bustle, it was there that Ochoa found her place.
40. And now life without it is not life.
One of Seero Ochoa’s phrases about the pain of loss of a loved one.
41. At this time, when the scientific literature has grown so much that it is impossible to keep up with progress, even in your own field, seminars, conferences and other types of meetings are essential to stay informed.
Things are constantly changing and that is why we need to seek information daily.
42. My basic truth is that all time is an expanding now.
His way of observing time.
43. First in life man learns to walk and talk. Later, he will sit still and keep his mouth shut.
About maintaining calm and prudence in the most necessary moments.
44. It was never a problem, and we didn’t try to convince ourselves. Sometimes she would forget to go to mass and I would tell her: “Carmen, mass…”
The interaction that Ochoa had with his religious wife.
45. This happens in many countries. Although I don’t think anyone is forced to work in those places, because a scientist cannot be forced to do what he doesn’t want to do. But there are people who are asked for that dedication with moral blackmail… And when so-called patriotism is behind it, it’s a bad thing…
Talking about manipulation towards scientists.
46. Of course, the scientist has to have ethical approaches.
Ethics must be an essential part of scientific work.
47. I believe that those who consciously collaborate to develop something for destructive purposes, as happened with the atomic bomb, are condemnable.
A reference to the acts of some scientists seen from a moral point of view
Related article: “Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development”
48. I have lived in New York for half my life.
New York as your second home.
49. We often visit not only museums, but also art galleries in the city. Furthermore, we rarely missed a chamber music recital, a play, or a symphonic or choral concert.
The daily and busy life of Ochoa with Carmen.
50. I believe that we are that, and nothing more, physics and chemistry.
Which, according to the scientist, we actually are.
