Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Not all birds can fly. What separates the flyers from the walkers is the ability to take off.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The ability to succeed often depends on one's willingness to take risks and embrace opportunities.
In this quote, Carl Sagan emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and seizing opportunities in life. While not everyone has the same abilities or circumstances, those who are willing to take off and strive for greater heights can distinguish themselves from those who remain grounded. It serves as a metaphor for personal growth and the potential that lies within everyone to rise above their limitations, suggesting that action and courage are key to achieving one's aspirations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to encourage people to take risks in their careers.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes βIn more than one respect, the exploring of the Solar System and homesteading other worlds constitutes the beginning, much more than the end, of history.
How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
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.
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.
The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Similar quotes
Reason means truth and those who are not governed by it_x000D_ take the chance that someday the sunken fact will rip_x000D_ the bottom out of their boat.
Resting in Awareness, we transform all the 'stuff' of our lives.
Emotional makeup is more important than technical skill
People in both fields operate with beliefs and biases. To the extent you can eliminate both and replace them with data, you gain a clear advantage.
What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness? You only truly, deeply appreciate and are grateful for something when you compare and contrast it to something worse.
Sleep conceals the creative act while the objective world reveals it. In sleep man impresses the subconscious with his conception of himself.