Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
She had studied the universe all her life, but had overlooked its clearest message: For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that love provides meaning and comfort to our small existence in the vast universe.
Carl Sagan reflects on the human condition, highlighting that despite our study and understanding of the universe, the overwhelming scale of existence can be daunting. He suggests that love is the fundamental emotion that makes our lives manageable and gives us a sense of belonging in the vastness of the cosmos.
Themes
LoveUniverseVastnessLifeMeaning
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about finding purpose in life, one could mention this quote to illustrate the importance of love.
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.
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