Probably few Swedish names are better known throughout the world than that of Alfred Nobel, and yet the general public knows very little about him. It recalls that Alfred Nobel was a great inventor, but exactly of what, besides dynamite, remains vague; it also knows that he was a great prize donor. But of his personal character hardly anyone has much of a notion, and if certain people have visualized him in their minds, the picture is not, as a rule, flattering. At times, some have imagined him to have been an uneducated man, somewhat vain and fond of both publicity and personal attention. But this picture is just the opposite of the true one. The real Alfred Nobel was a retiring, considerate person who detested all forms of publicity, a highly educated man and a thoroughgoing idealist. From the name one might conclude that his family was of foreign origin, descended perhaps from one of the many strangers who have come to Sweden to stay. Even Alfred Nobel’s own father seems to have bel
A heart can no more be forced to love than a stomach can be forced to digest food by persuasion. Contentment is the only real wealth. For me writing biographies is impossible, unless they are brief and concise, and these are, I feel, the most eloquent. For my part, I wish all guns with their belongings and everything could be sent to hell, which is the proper place for their exhibition and use. Good wishes alone will not ensure peace. Hope is nature’s veil for hiding truth’s nakedness. I intend to leave after my death a large fund for the promotion of the peace idea, but I am skeptical as to its results. I would not leave anything to a man of action as he would be tempted to give up work; on the other hand, I would like to help dreamers as they find it difficult to get on in life. If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied. Lying is the greatest of all sins. My dynamite will sooner lead to peace than a thousand world conventions. As soon as men will fi