We are, in the most profound sense, children of the Cosmos. Carl Sagan More Quotes by Carl Sagan More Quotes From Carl Sagan Think of how many religions attempt to validate themselves with prophecy. Think of how many people rely on these prophecies, however vague, however unfulfilled, to support or prop up their beliefs. Yet has there ever been a religion with the prophetic accuracy and reliability of science? ... No other human institution comes close. Carl Sagan science people thinking I hold that popularization of science is successful if, at first, it does no more than spark the sense of wonder. Carl Sagan successful doe science An extraterrestrial being, newly arrived on Earth - scrutinizing what we mainly present to our children in television, radio, movies, newspapers, magazines, the comics, and many books - might easily conclude that we are intent on teaching them murder, rape, cruelty, superstition, credulity, and consumerism. We keep at it, and through constant repetition many of them finally get it. Carl Sagan teaching book children Frederick Douglas taught that literacy is the path from slavery to freedom. There are many kinds of slavery and many kinds of freedom, but reading is still the path. Carl Sagan slavery reading path Even through your hardest days, remember we are all made of stardust. Carl Sagan stardust made remember In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie. Carl Sagan space time joy There is today-in a time when old beliefs are withering-a kind of philosophical hunger, a need to know who we are and how we got here. It is an on-going search, often unconscious, for a cosmic perspective for humanity Carl Sagan philosophical perspective humanity Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known. Carl Sagan cosmos home blue First rule in government spending: why build one when you can have two at twice the price? Carl Sagan government two firsts In the way that scepticism is sometimes applied to issues of public concern, there is a tendency to belittle, to condescend, to ignore the fact that, deluded or not, supporters of superstition and pseudoscience are human beings with real feelings, who, like the sceptics, are trying to figure out how the world works and what our role in it might be. Their motives are in many cases consonant with science. If their culture has not given them all the tools they need to pursue this great quest, let us temper our criticism with kindness. None of us comes fully equipped. Carl Sagan real fear kindness A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism. Carl Sagan atheist science ideas If we say that God has always been, why not save a step and conclude that the universe has always been? Carl Sagan atheist motivational inspirational Science is a collaborative enterprise, spanning the generations. When it permits us to see the far side of some new horizon, we remember those who prepared the way - seeing for them also. Carl Sagan new-horizons generations way The Universe forces those who live in it to understand it. Those creatures who find everyday experience a muddled jumble of events with no predictability, no regularity, are in grave peril. The Universe belongs to those who, at least to some degree, have figured it out. Carl Sagan degrees events everyday I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture, and our concern for the future, can all be tested by how well we support our libraries. Carl Sagan support civilization thinking What began in deadly competition has helped us to see that global cooperation is the essential precondition for our survival. Travel is broadening. It's time to hit the road again. Carl Sagan competition essentials survival Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of this astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy. Carl Sagan atheist spiritual dream The claim is also sometimes made that science is as arbitrary or irrational as all other claims to knowledge, or that reason itself is an illusion. As Ethan Allen said Those who invalidate reason ought seriously to consider whether they argue against reason with or without reason; if with reason, then they establish the principle that they are labouring to dethrone. If they argue without reason, which they must do, in order to be consistent with themselves, they are out of reach of rational conviction, nor do they deserve a rational argument. Carl Sagan principles order science The Cosmos is all that is or was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us -- there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, of falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries. Carl Sagan voice memories fall There are wonders enough out there without our inventing any. Carl Sagan injury pain wonder
