"This celebration here tells me that this work is not hopeless. I thank you for this teaching with all my heart and lift my glass to human solidarity, to the ultimate victory of knowledge, peace, good-will and understanding"

Amid a moment of collective recognition, the words convey profound gratitude and cautious optimism. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi acknowledges that the very act of coming together to celebrate scientific achievement is itself a testament to the resilience and meaning of the work, suggesting that despite obstacles or moments of despair, progress is possible. The phrase “this work is not hopeless” hints at the challenges inherent in scientific inquiry, a field often fraught with setbacks and uncertainty, requiring endless perseverance and faith in the value of incremental progress. Yet, the celebration serves as tangible proof that human endeavor can yield positive outcomes and inspire hope.

Szent-Gyorgyi’s thanks for the “teaching” embodies humility; he recognizes that breakthroughs are not solitary victories but arise from cooperation, mentorship, and collective striving. He lifts his glass not merely to personal success or to those present, but to the broader ideals that transcend individual achievement: human solidarity, the triumph of shared knowledge, the attainment of peace, good-will, and mutual understanding across boundaries. Implicit in his words is the belief that science is not isolated from society, but intimately bound up with humanity’s greater aspirations. Discovery, in his eyes, becomes a means to unite people, to expand empathy, and to foster conditions where peaceful coexistence and understanding prevail.

His reference to the “ultimate victory” is striking in its faith that knowledge and goodwill can overcome ignorance, conflict, and division. Knowledge and understanding are celebrated not as ends in themselves, but as agents for the betterment of human relationships and global harmony. The act of lifting a glass is more than a personal toast; it is a communal vow to persist in the pursuit of enlightenment, unity, and ethical progress, even when such hopes appear distant. Through gratitude and aspiration, Szent-Gyorgyi’s statement affirms both the importance of scientific endeavor and the enduring human capacity to strive for a more just and understanding world.