Quote of the day by Dr Jonas Salk, first polio vaccine inventor i 'I have had nightmares, but I have conquered them because of my dreams'

Dr Jonas Salk, the American virologist who developed one of the world’s first successful polio vaccines, understood fear as deeply as he understood hope. His work came at a time when polio terrified families across the globe, leaving countless children paralysed or worse. Reflecting on his journey, Salk once shared a line that captured both the struggle and the strength behind his success: “I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.” The quote feels deeply human, coming from a man who carried enormous responsibility on his shoulders.

The meaning behind Salk’s words goes far beyond science. Nightmares represent fear, doubt, and the moments when failure feels inevitable. Dreams stand for purpose, vision, and the belief that something better is possible. In life, everyone faces setbacks that can feel overwhelming. What pushes people forward is not the absence of fear, but having a dream strong enough to rise above it. Salk’s journey reminds us that lasting impact is often born when hope is louder than fear.

About Dr Jonas Salk

Born in New York City, Jonas Salk’s path into medicine began at the City College of New York and later at the New York University School of Medicine. His career took a decisive turn in 1947 when he joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as a professor. A year later, he began intensive work to identify different strains of the poliovirus, a project that would define the next seven years of his life. That relentless focus eventually led to the breakthrough polio vaccine, announced in April 1955, which transformed global public health almost overnight.


Rather than patenting the vaccine or earning from it, Salk chose to make it freely available so it could reach children worldwide. In 1963, he established the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California, which remains a leading research centre. In his later years, he continued scientific work, including research on HIV, and remained a strong advocate for universal childhood vaccination. Salk passed away in 1995 at the age of 80.