Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
.. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the 'Momentary' masters of a 'Fraction' of a 'Dot'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the futility of power and glory achieved through violence and war.
Carl Sagan highlights the tragic irony of humanity's pursuit of power, illustrating how countless lives have been lost in conflicts led by powerful figures, only for them to ultimately gain control over a minuscule part of the universe. It serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of such victories and the insignificance of human struggles in the vast expanse of time and space.
Themes
PowerWarViolenceFutilityHumanityGloryInsignificance
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on the consequences of war, one might use this quote to emphasize the tragic cost of seeking power.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes →In 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.
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The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Carl SaganRead
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