Quotes from Chernobyl

The truth is always there, whether we see it or not - whether we choose to or not. The truth doesn't care about our needs or wants. It doesn't care about our governments, our ideologies, our religions.

To be a scientist is to be naive.

When the truth offends me, we lie and we lie until we can no longer remember it is even there. Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid.

Waleri Legassow: "Despite the stupidity, the lies, you're compelled. The problem has been assigned and you'll stop at nothing until you find an answer. Because that is who you are."
Ulana Khomyuk: "A lunatic then."
Waleri Legassow: "A scientist."

That went surprisingly well. You came off like a naive idiot - and naive idiots are not a threat.

If you mean when will Chernobyl be completly save - the half-life of Plutonium 239 is 24,000 years. Perhaps we should just say, "not in our lifetimes."

Our power comes from the perception of our power.

"There has been an accident at Chernobyl, but I've been assured there is no problem."
Ulana Khomyuk: "I'm telling you that there is."
"I prefer my opinion to yours."

The accident is well under control.

What is the cost of lies? It's not that we mistake them for the truth. The real danger is that if we hear enough lies, then we no longer recognize the truth at all.