16 Smart and Insightful Quotes From The British Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking passed away on 13th March 2018, leaving behind a long scientific legacy of scientific outreach to the general public.

Through his lectures, books, movies, and the occasional cameo on TV, Hawking inspired millions of people to learn more about the Universe.

As a writer and a speaker, he was undoubtedly an intelligent and witty person. Below, we have compiled a list of quotes from decades of his public life. Have a look.

ONE

“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.”

TWO

“It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. It’s a crazy world out there. Be curious.”

THREE

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

FOUR

“Black holes ain't as black as they are painted. They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought. Things can get out of a black hole, both to the outside, and possibly, to another universe. So, if you feel you are in a black hole, don't give up. There's a way out."

FIVE

“People who boast about their IQ are losers."

SIX

“If we do discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason — for then we would know the mind of God."

SEVEN

“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist.... Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”

EIGHT

“For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible. Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn’t have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.” 

NINE

“I believe the simplest explanation is, there is no God. No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either. We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe and for that, I am extremely grateful.”

TEN

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

ELEVEN

“There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, [and] science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win, because it works.”

TWELVE

“If time travel is possible, where are the tourists from the future?” 

THIRTEEN

“The idea of 10 dimensions might sound exciting, but they would cause real problems if you forget where you parked your car.” 

FOURTEEN

“It is said that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But the universe is the ultimate free lunch.” 

FIFTEEN

"However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope."

Source- Flickr

SIXTEEN

"When I gave a lecture in Japan, I was asked not to mention the possible re-collapse of the universe, because it might affect the stock market. However, I can reassure anyone who is nervous about their investments that it is a bit early to sell: even if the universe does come to an end, it won't be for at least twenty billion years."

RIP Stephen Hawking! One of the best minds the world has ever seen!