Saying: An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field
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- Title: An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field
- Type: Sayings
- Category: { Wisdom and Insights }
- Print: Download as PDF for printing
Niels Bohr captures the essence of expertise with his statement “An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.” The Danish physicist and Nobel laureate emphasizes that true expertise emerges from knowing all possible errors. This quote is among his most famous aphorisms and is widely cited in discussions about learning, specialization, and experiential knowledge.
Origin and Use of the Quote
This quote is clearly attributed to Niels Bohr (1885–1962), a Danish theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize winner. The exact original text is: “An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.” It frequently appears in collections of quotations on science, experience, and expertise, used in literary and educational contexts to reflect on specialized knowledge.
Meaning and Interpretation of the Quote
Bohr’s quote focuses attention on the role of experience: true expertise involves understanding every possible mistake, highlighting the depth of the learning process.
The quote illustrates a paradoxical view of knowledge: expertise is acquired by overcoming and comprehending mistakes.
With sharp wording, Bohr invites reflection on error culture and knowledge acquisition: mistakes are essential steps rather than deficiencies.
This perspective underscores the importance of critical thinking and self-reflection: experts learn through trial, error, and insight.
The quote is frequently cited in scientific writings, educational discussions, and motivational contexts to highlight the importance of experiential knowledge within specialized fields.