We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
I believe everyone should have a broad picture of how the universe operates and our place in it. It is a basic human desire. And it also puts our worries in perspective.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding the universe helps us comprehend our existence and mitigate worries.
This quote emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of the universe and our individual roles within it. Stephen Hawking suggests that such knowledge is a fundamental human aspiration, as it not only satisfies our curiosity but also provides a greater context that can alleviate our anxieties and concerns about life.
Themes
UniverseUnderstandingPerspectiveAnxietyHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on education, one might use this quote to stress the importance of teaching students about the universe.
More from Stephen Hawking
All quotes →I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
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It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.
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I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
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The world has changed far more in the past 100 years than in any other century in history. The reason is not political or economic but technological-technologies that flowed directly from advances in basic science. Clearly, no scientist better represents those advances than Albert Einstein: TIME's Person of the Century.
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In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
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