If it [the universe] was expanding fairly slowly, the force of gravity would cause it eventually to stop expanding and then to start contracting. However, if it was expanding at more than a certain critical rate, gravity would never be strong enough to stop it, and the universe would continue to expand forever.
Stephen HawkingI'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.
Stephen Hawking