Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
We are...capable of using our compassion and our intelligence, our technology and our wealth, to make an abundant and meaningful life for every inhabitant of this planet. To enhance enormously our understanding of the Universe, and to carry us to the stars.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the potential of humanity to create a better world using our intellect and resources.
Carl Sagan highlights the remarkable capabilities of humanity, urging us to harness our compassion, intelligence, technology, and wealth for the betterment of everyone's lives on Earth. He envisions a future where we can not only understand the universe at a deeper level but also reach extraordinary heights, symbolically represented by traveling to the stars.
Themes
CompassionIntelligenceTechnologyWealthAbundanceUnderstandingUniversePotential
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech addressing a group of students about their potential in shaping the future.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes →In more than one respect, the exploring of the Solar System and homesteading other worlds constitutes the beginning, much more than the end, of history.
Carl SaganRead
How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
Carl SaganRead
The hole in the ozone layer is a kind of skywriting. At first it seemed to spell out our continuing complacency before a witch's brew of deadly perils. But perhaps it really tells of a newfound talent to work together to protect the global environment.
Carl SaganRead
There is a reward structure in science that is very interesting: Our highest honors go to those who disprove the findings of the most revered among us. So Einstein is revered not just because he made so many fundamental contributions to science, but because he found an imperfection in the fundamental contribution of Isaac Newton.
Carl SaganRead
The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Carl SaganRead
Similar quotes
Because mountains are high and broad, the way of riding the clouds is always reached in the mountains; the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains
DogenRead
Without heroes, we are all plain people and don't know how far we can go.
Bernard MalamudRead
Someone was hurt before you, wronged before you, hungry before you, frightened before you, beaten before you, humiliated before you, raped before you... yet, someone survived... You can do anything you choose to do.
Maya AngelouRead
I believe that dreams - day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing - are likely to lead to the betterment of the world.
L. Frank BaumRead
You've gotta blow the roof off of your heart and let the universe in.
Lou ReedRead
Mostly, though, I dream of good things...I dream that flowers will bloom in the streets..again and music will play in the...houses and kites will fly in the skies.
Khaled HosseiniRead