Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure.
Bill WattersonRead
The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The absence of contact from intelligent extraterrestrial life suggests they are either wise enough to avoid us or do not see us as worth contacting.
Bill Watterson's quote reflects on the idea that if intelligent life exists beyond Earth, their lack of contact with humanity might imply their intelligence leads them to recognize the potential dangers or triviality of engaging with a species that often acts irrationally. This thought prompts a contemplation of our own actions and the nature of intelligence, suggesting that perhaps not all intelligence seeks to dominate or interact, but some may choose silence out of prudence or disinterest.
Themes
Intelligent LifeUniverseContactPhilosophyIntelligence
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on astrobiology, one could use this quote to highlight the enigmatic nature of extraterrestrial intelligence.
More from Bill Watterson
All quotes →Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak. Probably so we can think twice.
Bill WattersonRead
The secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse
Bill WattersonRead
Shutting off the thought process is not rejuvenating; the mind is like a car battery - it recharges by running.
Bill WattersonRead
Mothers are the necessity of invention.
Bill WattersonRead
Dad: Honey, have you seen my glasses? I can"t find them. Mom: I haven't seen them. Calvin: (with glasses, to Dad) Calvin, go do something you hate! Being miserable builds character!
Bill WattersonRead
Similar quotes
Be conscious first of thyself within, then think and act. All living thought is a world in preparation; all real act is a thought manifested. The material world exists because an idea began to play in divine self–consciousness.
Sri AurobindoRead
People who have no weaknesses are terrible; there is no way of taking advantage of them.
Anatole FranceRead
I guess cause i'm black boy, I'm supposed to say 'peace', sing songs, and get capped on.
Tupac ShakurRead
In a world wounded by conflicts, where violence is justified in God's name, it's important to repeat that religion can never become a vehicle of hatred, it can never be used in God's name to justify violence.
Pope Benedict XviRead
I've now realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest.
Oscar WildeRead
Dreams are shores where the ocean of spirit meets the land of matter. Dreams are beaches where the yet-to-be, the once-were, the will-never-be may walk awhile with the still-are.
David MitchellRead