I'm sometimes asked how I would like to be remembered. I've had a diverse career as a writer, underwater explorer, space promoter and science populariser. Of all these, I want to be remembered most as a writer - one who entertained readers, and, hopefully, stretched their imagination as well.

You don't believe in organized religion, yet a major theme in so many of your works seems to be a quest for God.

The crossing of space ... may do much to turn men's minds outwards and away from their present tribal squabbles. In this sense, the rocket, far from being one of the destroyers of civilisation, may provide the safety-value that is needed to preserve it.

The person one loves never really exists, but is a projection focused through the lens of the mind onto whatever screen it fits with least distortion.

Absolutely no religious rites of any kind, relating to any religious faith, should be associated with my funeral.

If there are any gods whose chief concern is man, they can't be very important gods.

The best proof that there's intelligent life in the universe is that it hasn't come here.