Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
Probably a dozen times since their death I've heard my mother or father, in an ordinary conversational tone of voice, call my name. They had called my name often during my life with them ... It doesn't seem strange to me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the enduring presence of loved ones even after they've passed away.
In this quote, Carl Sagan expresses a profound sense of connection with his deceased parents, illustrating how their influence and love continue to resonate in his life. The ordinary act of hearing their names serves as a reminder of the emotional bonds that persist beyond death, evoking feelings of nostalgia and love, and highlighting the significant role that family plays in shaping one's identity and memories.
Themes
MemoryLoveFamilyLossPresenceConnection
In practice
Example use cases
During a memorial service, this quote can be shared to evoke fond memories of the deceased.
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.
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How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
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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.
Carl SaganRead
The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Carl SaganRead
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But it does make me sad that we've forgotten our names. Out of everything, this seems to me the most tragic. I miss my own and I mourn for everyone else's, because I'd like to love them, but I don't know who they are.
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There's a pervading sense of loneliness I've had since the day I was born. Maybe a lot of other people feel the same way, but I'm not about to run up and down the street asking everybody if they're as lonely as I am. I'd probably get locked up.
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