Scientists & Inventors · Early 20th Century
Max Planck’s Last Words
“I have always lived by duty and striven for perfection.”— Max Planck, October 4, 1947
Who Was Max Planck?
Max Planck was a German theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, work for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1918. His discovery of energy quanta revolutionized our understanding of nature.
The Final Moments
Planck died in Göttingen, Germany. He had suffered immensely during the war including the death of one son in WWI and another executed by the Nazis in 1945.
Are These Words Verified?
This quote lacks strong verification in primary sources. While it reflects Planck's character and values, there is no reliable firsthand account confirming these as his actual deathbed words.
Sources
- biography Biographical accounts
- academic Scientific obituaries
- archive Historical records
Legacy
Planck's constant is one of the most fundamental numbers in physics. Quantum mechanics, which he began, transformed technology and our understanding of the universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Max Planck’s last words?
“I have always lived by duty and striven for perfection.”
How did Max Planck die?
Max Planck died on October 4, 1947 at the age of 89. Cause of death: Arteriosclerosis.
Were Max Planck’s last words documented?
This quote lacks strong verification in primary sources. While it reflects Planck's character and values, there is no reliable firsthand account confirming these as his actual deathbed words.
More from Scientists & Inventors
See all →
Albert Einstein
“Unknown — he spoke his last words in German to a nurse who did not understand the language.”
Thomas Edison
“It is very beautiful over there.”
Galileo Galilei
“Yet it moves. (Eppur si muove.)”
Charles Darwin
“I am not the least afraid to die.”