Astronomy, as nothing else can do, teaches men humility.

No one of intelligence resents the inevitable.

We stand now at the turning point between two eras. Behind us is a past to which we can never return...

Some things have eternal value, and compassion is one of them. I hope we never lose that. Compassion for humans as well as animals.

Much blood has also been spilled on the carpet in attempts to distinguish between science fiction and fantasy. I have suggested an operational definition: science fiction is something that COULD happen - but usually you wouldn't want it to. Fantasy is something that COULDN'T happen - though often you only wish that it could.

That's one of those meaningless and unanswerable questions the mind keeps returning to endlessly, like the tongue exploring a broken tooth.

Few artists thrive in solitude and nothing is more stimulating than the conflict of minds with similar interests.