The universe has a much greater imagination than we do, which is why the real story of the universe is far more interesting than any of the fairy tales we have invented to describe it.

Lack of comfort means we are on the threshold of new insights.

I can't prove that God doesn't exist, but I'd much rather live in a universe without one.

Forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today.

[The writers of the holy books] did not even know the earth revolves around the sun. Why are we listening?

If we wish to draw philosophical conclusions about our own existence, our significance, and the significance of the universe itself, our conclusions should be based on empirical knowledge. A truly open mind means forcing our imaginations to conform to the evidence of reality, and not vice versa, whether or not we like the implications.

The one experience that I hope every student has at some point in their lives is to have some belief you profoundly, deeply hold, proved to be wrong because that is the most eye-opening experience you can have, and as a scientist, to me, is the most exciting experience I can ever have.