Stephen Hawking

Black holes, cosmology

Contemporary influential 162 sayings

Sayings by Stephen Hawking

I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.

2011 — Interview with 'The Guardian'
Controversial Unverifiable

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.

2016 — Interview with 'The Independent'
Controversial Unverifiable

The human race is just a chemical scum on a moderate-sized planet, orbiting a very average star in the outer suburb of one among a hundred billion galaxies. We are so insignificant that I can't believe the whole universe exists for our benefit. That would be a pretty hefty waste of space.

1988 — From 'A Brief History of Time' (though often slightly paraphrased, this is close)
Humorous Unverifiable

There is no God. No one created the universe and no one directs our destiny.

2010 — From 'The Grand Design'
Humorous Unverifiable

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.

Unknown — Often attributed to Einstein, but Hawking also used a similar sentiment.
Humorous Unverifiable

The universe is a grand design, and we are but tiny parts of it.

2010 — From 'The Grand Design'
Humorous Unverifiable

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?

1988 — From 'A Brief History of Time'
Humorous Unverifiable

It is a matter of common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

Unknown — Often attributed, but originally by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Hawking used it in a context of scientifi…
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest achievement of the human race is not the invention of the wheel, but the ability to communicate.

Unknown — From a speech or interview
Humorous Unverifiable

Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious, and however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.

2010s — From a message to his daughters and a larger audience
Humorous Unverifiable

I would like to know the mind of God, but I'm not sure God has a mind. He may just be a set of laws.

Unknown — From an interview or discussion
Humorous Unverifiable

Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe.

Unknown — Often attributed to Galileo, but Hawking has also used this idea.
Humorous Unverifiable

We are very, very small, but we are also very, very smart.

Unknown — From a speech
Humorous Unverifiable

I have always been very optimistic about the future of the human race.

Unknown — From an interview or speech
Humorous Unverifiable

The universe is not expanding into anything.

1988 — From 'A Brief History of Time'
Humorous Unverifiable

The universe is a beautiful and complex place, and we are lucky to be a part of it.

Unknown — From a speech or interview
Humorous Unverifiable

I believe aliens are out there. But they don't want to meet us.

2010 — From an interview
Humorous Unverifiable

We are all connected to the universe, and the universe is connected to us.

Unknown — From a speech or interview
Humorous Unverifiable

The laws of nature are the same everywhere in the universe.

1988 — From 'A Brief History of Time'
Humorous Unverifiable

I have no idea what the universe is for, but I'm glad it's here.

Unknown — From an interview or discussion
Humorous Unverifiable