Von Neumann wrote the sentence in Can We Survive Technology? The primary reprint confirms the wording; the Institute for Advanced Study identifies the Fortune article as a 1955 publication, while Quote Investigator documents its 1956 book collection.
“For progress there is no cure” John von Neumann — Can We Survive Technology? (Fortune, 1955; collected in The Fabulous Future: America in 1980, 1956).
Image direction — grounded in this quote’s real context; paste into your image tool
In context
Evoking the world of John von Neumann — Mathematician. Theme: "For progress there is no cure". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Minimalist
Minimalist editorial slide for the quote "For progress there is no cure". Clean background, a single muted accent color, generous negative space, subtle paper or linen texture, no literal illustration — let the words carry it. Reserve clear space for a serif quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Provenance
The source
Work
Can We Survive Technology?
Location
Fortune, 1955; collected in The Fabulous Future: America in 1980, 1956
no cure
These two words occur in the complete sentence in the primary essay reprint.
The documented source was published after 1930. Copyright may subsist; quotation and attribution do not grant permission to reproduce the full work.
Rights status is our research, not legal advice — and copyright varies by country and edition. For commercial or published use, confirm with the rightsholder. See terms.
Context
Why it mattered
The argument is that progress creates dangers that cannot be solved by a single automatic safeguard. The following sentences call for continuing judgment rather than a retreat from technology or resignation to catastrophe.
Explore
Filed under
More provenance-checked quotes on the same theme, each with its reuse status.
John von Neumann was a mathematician and an early professor at the Institute for Advanced Study. His essay considers technological change, danger, and the need for judgment.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The primary source (Chicago)
John von Neumann. Can We Survive Technology?. Fortune, 1955; collected in The Fabulous Future: America in 1980, 1956.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘For progress there is no cure’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/for-progress-there-is-no-cure/