Joseph Rotblat quotes - page 2

Joseph Rotblat was a Polish physicist renowned for his work on nuclear physics and his efforts towards nuclear disarmament. His research contributed to the development of atomic technology, but he later became a leading advocate for peace. He dedicated much of his life to promoting ethical responsibility in science and received the Nobel Peace Prize for his activism. Here are 34 of his quotes:

The most terrifying moment in my life was October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I did not know all the facts - we have learned only recently how close we were to war - but I knew enough to make me tremble.

Joseph Rotblat

There is no direct evidence that nuclear weapons prevented a world war. Conversely, it is known that they nearly caused one.

Joseph Rotblat

When the START 2 treaty has been implemented - and remember it has not yet been ratified - we will be left with some 15,000 nuclear warheads, active and in reserve. Fifteen thousand weapons with an average yield of 20 Hiroshima bombs.

Joseph Rotblat

If the militarily most powerful - and least threatened - states need nuclear weapons for their security, how can one deny such security to countries that are truly insecure? The present nuclear policy is a recipe for proliferation. It is a policy for disaster.

Joseph Rotblat

To sum up, there is no evidence that a world without nuclear weapons would be a dangerous world. On the contrary, it would be a safer world, as I will show later.

Joseph Rotblat

As for the assertion that nuclear weapons prevent wars, how many more wars are needed to refute this arguments? Tens of millions have died in the many wars that have taken place since 1945.

Joseph Rotblat

The time has come to formulate guidelines for the ethical conduct of scientist, perhaps in the form of a voluntary Hippocratic Oath.

Joseph Rotblat

This means that the only function of nuclear weapons, while they exist, is to deter a nuclear attack.

Joseph Rotblat