“All science asks is to employ the same levels of skepticism we use in ...” — Carl Sagan Quote

“All science asks is to employ the same levels of skepticism we use in buying a used car or in judging the quality of analgesics or beer from their television commercials.”

“We are star stuff which has taken its destiny into its own hands.”

“The idea that God is an oversized white male with a flowing beard, who sits in the sky and tallies the fall of every sparrow is ludicrous. But if by 'God,' one means the set of physical laws that govern the universe, then clearly there is such a God. This God is emotionally unsatisfying... it does not make much sense to pray to the law of gravity.”

“Whatever their neurological and molecular antecedents, hallucinations feel real. They are sought out in many cultures and considered a sign of spiritual enlightenment.”

“Even these stars, which seem so numerous, are as sand, as dust - or less than dust - in the enormity of the space in which there is nothing.”

“Being freed from superstition isn't enough for science to grow. One must also have the idea of interrogating Nature, of doing experiments.”

“53. The 9-mile-long river called Rio Celeste (“Celestial River”) in Costa Rica is a perfect metaphor for the harmonious interaction between the original self and the narrative self. While the original self carries the potential (aluminosilicate), it is in interaction with the narrative self that allows it to be realized.”

“I think the least important thing about science fiction for me is its predictive capacity. Its record for being accurately predictive is really, really poor! If you look at the whole history of science fiction, what people have said is going to happen, what writers have said is going to happen, and what actually happened - it's terrible.”

“If human mind perseveres long enough, every mystery soon reveals its truth.”

“As we parted at the Natural History Museum in London, I asked Richard Fortey how science ensures that when one person goes there's someone ready to take his place.”

“The industry loves Bob. Bob is the business model.”