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Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking Quotes

Physicist

Stephen Hawking was a renowned British theoretical physicist known for his contributions to the fields of black hole theory and cosmology. Born on January 8, 1942, he overcame the challenges of ALS to become a global icon of science and perseverance.

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Famous Stephen Hawking Quotes

“Think of our DNA. In the last million years, our DNA hasn't changed at all. It's really much the same as it was in the jungle, a million, two millions years ago. But in the last 200 years, our destructive capacities have increased many, many millions of times over. Why don't we see intelligent signals from outer space? Because in all likelihood, once the civilization reaches the point our civilization has reached, it destroys itself.”

Thinking Years Two Lasts Space Millions Changed Civilization Capacity Years Ago Intelligent Destructive Signals Dna Jungle Outer Space Likelihood

Author:Stephen Hawking

“It often happens that I have an idea, but then I try to fill in the intermediate steps and find they don't work, so I have to give it up.”

Giving Trying Ideas Happens Steps

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Someone told me that each equation I included in my book would halve the sales. I did put in one equation, Einstein's famous equation, E = MC squared. I hope that this will not scare off half of my potential readers.”

Book Half Reader Scare Equations

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I would rather be right than rigorous.”

Science Mathematics

Author:Stephen Hawking

“The Simpsons is the best thing on American television.”

Television Best Things American Television

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Some people would claim that things like love, joy and beauty belong to a different category from science and can't be described in scientific terms, but I think they can now be explained by the theory of evolution.”

People Thinking Different Joy Term Theory Evolution Claims Categories Like Love Theory Of Evolution

Author:Stephen Hawking

“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.”

Ifs Enough Certain Universe Strong Force Causes Forever Rate Critical Gravity Expanding Strong Enough Contracting

Book:The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe

Source: The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe

“We are all now connected by the Internet, like neurons in a giant brain.”

Brain Internet Connected Giants Neurons

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Many people do not like the idea that time has a beginning, probably because it smacks of divine intervention.”

People Ideas Divine Intervention Smack Divine Intervention

Book:The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe

Source: The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe

“Thirty years ago I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and given two and a half years to live. I have always wondered how they could be so precise about the half.”

Years Two Given Half Disease Years Ago Thirty Precise Motor Thirty Years Half A Year

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I have sold more books on physics than Madonna has on sex. [Hawking adopted this statement from a remark made to him by his former post-doc, Nathan Myhrvold.]”

Made Book Sex Physics Statements Former Posts Adopted Remarks

Author:Stephen Hawking

“[Question: Do you feel that scientists correct themselves as often as they should?] More often than politicians, but not as often as they should.”

Feels Should Politician Scientist

Author:Stephen Hawking

“[Question: What do you think was the most important physics idea to emerge this year?] We won't know for a few years.”

Thinking Knows Years Important Ideas Knowledge Importance Physics

Author:Stephen Hawking

“It is reasonable to ask who or what created the universe, but if the answer is God, then the question has merely been deflected to that of who created God.”

Ifs Universe Asks Answers Reasonable

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.”

People Life Looks Philosophy Inspiration Can Do Change Destiny Fate Crosses Claims Aliens Free Will Predestination Predestined Ability To Adapt Computer Viruses

Book:Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays

Source: Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

Life Inspirational Motivational Past Change Leadership Ability Intelligence Positivity Adaptability Adapting Ability To Change Ability To Adapt Adapting To Change Real Intelligence

Author:Stephen Hawking

“People won't have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.”

People Ifs Anger Angry Complaining Disability People With Disabilities Ability To Adapt Always Complaining No Complaining

Author:Stephen Hawking

“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.”

Science Universe Stars Special Humility Planets Scientist Intelligent Average Minors Monkeys Cheer Up Astronomy And Universe Space Aliens Computer Viruses Expanding Universe Understanding The Universe

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I think computer viruses should count as life ... I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.”

Thinking Should Humans Form Science Technology Security Human Nature Computer Aliens Destructive Viruses Computer Technology Funny Computer Space Aliens Computer Security Computer Viruses

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Women. They are a complete mystery.”

Author:Stephen Hawking

“We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity. We cannot remain looking inwards at ourselves on a small and increasingly polluted and overcrowded planet.”

Danger Planets Greed Stupidity Destroying Astrophysics Destroying Ourselves

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Not only that God does play dice, but that He sometimes confuses us by throwing them where they can't be seen.”

Doe Sometimes Play Science Religion Dating Dice

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.”

Ifs Life Would Be Funny Science Tragic Funny Life

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.”

Want Firsts Dies Not Afraid Afraid Of Death Not Afraid Of Death Early Death

Author:Stephen Hawking

“People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.”

People Science Education Intelligence Loser Boast Physically Disabled

Author:Stephen Hawking

“My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”

Science Universe Understanding Goal Simple Ability To Adapt Space Aliens Understanding The Universe

Author:Stephen Hawking

“The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired.”

May Has Beens Whole God Happens Science Certain Order History Events Accounts Inspired Realization Arbitrary History Of Science

Book:A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes

Source: A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes

“We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.”

Want Looks Might Funny Science Intelligent Aliens Funny Life Intelligent Life Space Aliens Alien Life

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Why are we here? Where do we come from? Traditionally, these are questions for philosophy, but philosophy is dead.”

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it.”

Giving Life Is Purpose Empty Productivity Aliens Purpose And Meaning

Author:Stephen Hawking

“To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.”

Humans Matter Would Be Funny Spirit Space Attention Crazy Limits Astronomy Silly Human Spirit Astronomy And Universe

Author:Stephen Hawking

“If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans.”

Ifs Wells Would Be America Turns Discovery Aliens Outcomes Native Native American Columbus Native Country Space Aliens Discovery Of America

Author:Stephen Hawking

“It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.”

Long Values Term Clear Survival Intelligent Intelligence Long Term Computer Viruses

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Time travel used to be thought of as just science fiction, but Einstein's general theory of relativity allows for the possibility that we could warp space-time so much that you could go off in a rocket and return before you set out.”

Used Space Fiction Possibility Theory Return Travel Science Fiction Used To Be Time Travel Rockets Relativity Warp Space Time Rocket Science Theories Of Relativity General Relativity

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Even if there is only one possible unified theory, it is just a set of rules and equations. What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe for them to describe?”

Ifs Universe Fire Theory Breathe Equations Unified

Book:A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes

Source: A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes

“There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”

People Stories Heaven Dark Broken Computer Fairy Afterlife Relatable Broken Down Afraid Of Death Fairy Stories Not Afraid Of Death Early Death

Author:Stephen Hawking

“One cannot really argue with a mathematical theorem.”

Arguing Mathematical Theorems

Author:Stephen Hawking

“If we do discover a complete theory, it should be in time understandable in broad principle by everyone. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people be able to take part in the discussion of why we and the universe exist.”

People Ifs Should Able Universe Principles Theory Ordinary Scientist Philosopher Discussion Broads Ordinary People Understanding The Universe

Book:A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes

Source: A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes

“Although September 11 was horrible, it didn't threaten the survival of the human race, like nuclear weapons do.”

Humans Politics Race Weapons Survival Nuclear Horrible Human Race Nuclear Weapons September September 11

Author:Stephen Hawking

“It is no good getting furious if you get stuck. What I do is keep thinking about the problem but work on something else. Sometimes it is years before I see the way forward. In the case of information loss and black holes, it was 29 years.”

Ifs Thinking Way Years Sometimes Problem Black Loss Cases Information Stuck Holes Furious Black Hole Way Forward

Author:Stephen Hawking

“It is generally recognised that women are better than men at languages, personal relations and multi-tasking, but less good at map-reading and spatial awareness. It is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that women might be less good at mathematics and physics.”

Men Might Reading Language Awareness Relation Mathematics Physics Maps Unreasonable Multitasking Spatial Multi Tasking

Author:Stephen Hawking

“There is no unique picture of reality.”

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.”

Reason Romance Passion Disciple Natural Science Inspirational Science Romance And Passion

Author:Stephen Hawking

“Most sets of values would give rise to universes that, although they might be very beautiful, would contain no one able to wonder at that beauty.”

Giving Might Able Beautiful Values Universe Wonder Very Beautiful

Book:A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes

Source: A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black Holes

“Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.”

Discovery Scientist Quests Torches

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I believe in universal health care. And I am not afraid to say so.”

Believe Care I Believe Universal I Believe In Health Care Not Afraid Universal Health Care

Author:Stephen Hawking

“There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end ofthe search for the ultimate laws of nature.”

May Ends Law Science Religion Optimism Ultimate Laws Of Nature Cautious Be Cautious

Book:The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe

Source: The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe

“There is a real danger that computers will develop intelligence and take over. We urgently need to develop direct connections to the brain so that computers can add to human intelligence rather than be in opposition.”

Needs Humans Real Brain Danger Computer Direct Connections Add Opposition Human Intelligence Genetic Engineering

Author:Stephen Hawking

“I don't want to write an autobiography because I would become public property with no privacy left.”

Want Writing Left Property Privacy Autobiography

Author:Stephen Hawking

“With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race. But it will be a slow process, because one will have to wait about 18 years to see the effect of changes to the genetic code.”

Years Humans Able Waiting Process Race Effects Increase Code Human Race Complexity Engineering Dna Genetic Engineering

Author:Stephen Hawking

About the Author

Born: January 8, 1942
Known for: Physicist
Quotes: 523

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Popular Topics

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Books & Sources

Brief Answers to the Big QuestionsRelated source material

A Brief History Of Time: From Big Bang To Black HolesRelated source material

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The Illustrated Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the UniverseRelated source material

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