A culture without mythology is not really a civilisation.

Yet as human beings we have to accept-with humility-that the question of ultimate origins will always remain with us, no matter how deeply we understand the brain and the cosmos that it creates.

In fact, on one occasion, a rather pedantic experimental psychologist was telling him about a long, complicated experiment he had done, incorporating all the proper controls and using considerable technical virtuosity. When he saw Crick's exasperated expression he said, "but Dr. Crick, we have got it right - we know it's right," Crick's response was, "The point is not whether it's right. The point is: does it even matter whether its right or wrong?"

Any ape can reach for a banana, but only humans can reach for the stars.

The brain abhors discrepancies.

Great art allows you to transcend your mortal frame and to reach for the stars. I think great science does the same thing.

Curiosity illuminates the correct path to anything in life. If you're not curious, that's when your brain is starting to die.