Everybody, all politicians on Left and Right, agree that meritocracy is a great thing, and we should all be trying to make our societies really, really meritocratic. In other words -- what is a meritocratic society? A meritocratic society is one in which, if you've got talent and energy and skill, you will get to the top, nothing should hold you back. It's a beautiful idea.

2000年10月29日，在南京大学捐资设立杨振宁奖学金时，杨振宁表示，虽然我父亲是大学教授，但因为通货膨胀，家里很穷，生活很艰苦，是奖学金帮我度过了难关。近几年多次在大陆访问，看到不少青年学生因家境困难而影响学业，感到很伤心，所以就有了这么个想法。杨振宁说

The laws of physics produce complex structures, and in at least one case, a complex structure produces the laws of physics.

永远努力在你的生活之上保留一片天空。

If we are a good team and know what we want to do, one of us can defeat ten of them.

Collaboration across borders is key to protecting our shared marine heritage.

保持谦逊，保持渴望。

The only real music is the music of the heart.

科学更多的是一种思维方式，而不是知识体系。