Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the extraordinary impact of books and knowledge, likening them to magical creations of human ability.
Carl Sagan's quote suggests that the act of writing and reading books allows humans to transcend ordinary existence, creating realms of understanding and imagination that seem magical. It speaks to the transformative power of literature in conveying ideas and exploring the infinite possibilities of human thought and creativity.
Themes
BooksMagicKnowledgeImaginationWriting
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used to inspire students at a book fair.
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.
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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.
Carl SaganRead
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