Quotes by Dr. Carl Sagan

“Our species needs, and deserves, a citizenry with minds wide awake and a basic understanding of how the world works.”

“Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense”

“The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent.”

“There are many hypotheses in science which are wrong. Thats perfectly all right; theyre the aperture to finding out whats right. Science is a self-correcting process. To be accepted, new ideas must survive the most rigorous standards of evidence and scrutiny.”

“I maintain there is much more wonder in science than in pseudoscience. And in addition, to whatever measure this term has any meaning, science has the additional virtue, and it is not an inconsiderable one, of being true.”

“I also wish that the Pledge of Allegiance were directed at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as it is when the President takes his oath of office, rather than to the flag and the nation”

“If we long to believe that the stars rise and set for us, that we are the reason there is a Universe, does science do us a disservice in deflating our conceits?”

“Personally, I would be delighted if there were a life after death, especially if it permitted me to continue to learn about this world and others, if it gave me a chance to discover how history turns out.”

“I believe that the extraordinary should be pursued. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”

“Who will speak for Planet Earth?”

“In science it often happens that scientists say, You know thats a really good argument; my position is mistaken, and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesnt happen”

“The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be.”

“We are simultaneously the most hated, loved, feared and admired nation on this planet. In short, we are Frank Sinatra. And the Chairman didnt make his bones laying down for punks...”