On the outside wall of the sculpture, there is an Einstein quote, “The right to search for truth implies also a duty. One must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be true.“
Facing Connecticut Avenue NW across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and not far from the Lincoln Memorial
This Einstein quote is obviously quite important within the US National Academy of Sciences. It also appears on the wall at the entrance of their other building in Washington, DC, The Keck Center.
What does it mean?
There is an inherent belief that science is collaborative, open, and honest. If a person discovers what one believes to be a new truth, then shares that truth, the anticipation is that there will be honest and helpful feedback.
Unfortunately, today’s culture is highly competitive and it can be elitist. It is difficult for an outsider or an unknown to get a straightforward evaluation. And, it is easy to get labelled as idiosyncratic versus always being open to learn more.
To wit, we say, “May we always be open to learn more.”