We're an elective democracy where science and technology will define where the economically strong countries in the world will be. And science and technological literacy is important for security, as well.

Imagine a world in which we are all enlightened by objective truths rather than offended by them.

Space exploration is a force of nature unto itself that no other force in society can rival.

What I’m saying is, when different experiments give you the same result, it is no longer subject to your opinion. That’s the good thing about science: It’s true whether or not you believe in it. That’s why it works.

Whether or not you can become great at something, you can always become better.

Three and a half million years ago our ancestors - yours and mine - left these traces [indicates footprints]. We stood up and parted ways from them. Once we were standing on two feet, our eyes were no longer fixated on the ground. Now, we were free to look up and wonder.

I bought it, I read it, and I heeded its advice. I remain unabducted.