Wikiquote identifies the essay behind the nuclear-standoff analogy. The publisher’s article could not be opened for a direct check, so this page does not claim primary verification.
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Evoking the world of J. Robert Oppenheimer — Physicist. Theme: "We may be likened to two scorpions in a bottle, each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of his own life". 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.
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Provenance
What the source establishes
Documented trail
“Atomic Weapons and American Policy,” Foreign Affairs, July 1953, page 529; cited by Wikiquote.
Evidence
Attribution and wording limits stated below
two scorpions in a bottle
A short excerpt from the cited source; it may differ from the popular wording above.
Read the source ↗ — Wikiquote identifies the essay behind the nuclear-standoff analogy. The publisher’s article could not be opened for a direct check, so this page does not claim primary verification.
The cited essay was published in 1953 and is modern copyrighted prose.
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J. Robert Oppenheimer is identified in the cited material as the physicist. This page distinguishes the documented source trail from a claim of verbatim personal testimony.
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The primary source (Chicago)
“Atomic Weapons and American Policy,” Foreign Affairs, July 1953, page 529; cited by Wikiquote.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘We may be likened to two scorpions in a bottle, each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of his own life’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/we-may-be-likened-to-two-scorpions-in-a-bottle-each-capable/