Fame troubled Marie Curie and also her husband, because science was their world and in their world of science fame and honor had no value. One day, when a writer for a newspaper tried to ask Marie about herself and her thoughts and her belief, she answered him, "In science we must be interested in things, not in persons." Much of the real character and spirit of this unusual woman is found in these few words, which she was later often to repeat. One evening, at a big party, a friend asked if she would like to see the king of Greece, who was also a guest. She answered in her simple manner, "I don't see the value of it." Then, seeing that she had hurt the feeling of her friend, she quickly added, "But...but...of course, I shall do whatever you please, just as you please. Why didn't Marie want to meet the King of Greece?
She was too nervous to meet him. She looked down on him because she thought he was valueless. As a scientist, she thought fame and honor had no value to her. She just wanted to give her friend a lesson who always liked meeting great persons.