The creation of wealth is certainly not to be despised, but in the long run the only human activities really worthwhile are the search for knowledge, and the creation of beauty. This is beyond argument, the only point of debate is which comes first.

We seldom stop to think that we are still creatures of the sea, able to leave it only because, from birth to death, we wear the water-filled space suits of our skins.

When you finally understand the universe, it will not only be stranger than you imagine, it will be stranger than you can imagine.

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

Now I understand,” said the last man.

If man survives for as long as the least successful of the dinosaurs-those creatures whom we often deride as nature's failures-then we may be certain of this: for all but a vanishingly brief instant near the dawn of history, the word 'ship' will mean- 'spaceship.'

I don't believe in God but I'm very interested in her.