Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Michael Crichton

Quote by Michael Crichton

“You know what's wrong with scientific power?... It's a form of inherited wealth... Most kinds of power require a substantial sacrifice by whoever wants the power. There is an apprenticeship, a discipline lasting many years. Whatever kind of power you want. President of the company. Black belt in karate. Spiritual Guru. Whatever it is you seek, you have to put in the time, the practice, the effort. You must give up a lot to get it. It has to be very important to you. And once you have attained it, it is your power. It can't be given away: it resides in you. It is literally the result of your discipline. Now, what is interesting about this process is that, by the time someone has acquired the ability to his with his bare hands, he has also matured to the point where he won't use it unwisely. So that kind of power has a built-in control. The discipline of the getting the power changes you so that you won't abuse it. But scientific power is like inherited wealth: attained without discipline. You read what others have done, and you take the next step... There is no discipline... no mastery: old scientists are ignored. There is no humility before nature... A karate master does not kill people with his bare hands. He does not lose his temper and kill his wife. The person who kills is the person who has no discipline, no restraint, and who has purchased his power in the form of a Saturday night special. And that is the kind of power that science fosters, and permits.”

Quote by Michael Crichton

Work

Jurassic Park

Browse quotes and source details for this work. more

Author

Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton was an American author, screenwriter, and producer, known for his science fiction novels and medical thrillers. His works often explore scientific, technological, and social issues, with novels like 'Jurassic Park' and 'Westworld' being adapted into popular films. more

You May Also Like

“Sang guru lalu mengeluarkan sekeping koin tua dari sakunya dan meletakkannya di atas meja. “Lihatlah koin ini,” katanya, “di satu sisi tertera gambar seorang raja, di sisi lain angka yang menandakan nilainya. Dunia menilai dari angka itu, tapi aku menilai dari siapa yang mencetaknya. Begitu pula manusia. Dunia menilai dari hasil, tapi semesta menilai dari sumber — dari nilai pribadi yang memancarkan makna.” Ia menatap sang saudagar dengan lembut. “Orang miskin menjual waktu karena tak tahu nilainya. Kelas menengah menukar waktu dengan gaji karena butuh kepastian. Orang kaya sejati menukar ide dengan pengaruh — karena ia tahu nilai tertinggi bukan pada kerja keras, tapi pada keunggulan pribadi yang bermanfaat bagi banyak jiwa.”