Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
For all our failings, despite our limitations and fallibilities, we humans are capable of greatness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans can achieve remarkable things despite their flaws and limitations.
Carl Sagan emphasizes that regardless of our imperfections and the challenges we face, there exists within humanity the potential for extraordinary accomplishments. This quote serves as a reminder of our innate ability to strive for greatness and overcome our shortcomings.
Themes
GreatnessHuman PotentialInspirationOvercomingImperfection
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to inspire students to chase their dreams.
More from Carl Sagan
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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.
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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.
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The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
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