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Quotations Weblog
Archives for the 'Biography' Category
November 9th, 1997 by Laura Moncur in Biography
I like to think that my childhood is no different than that of my peers. I pretend
that all children watched Cosmos on Saturday nights on PBS with their fathers, but
I’m sure that is not the case. While I counted the days to Saturday to see Carl
Sagan’s television show, other kids were counting the days to see Dukes of Hazzard.
It explains much of my persona to know that I was raised with the ideas and
philosophies of Carl Sagan.
Nearly a year ago, when Carl Sagan died, many news shows televised brief biographies
of his life. It was then that I realized that I would never be able to do him justice
on a single web page. Here are a few quotes from Mr. Sagan. I hope you can enjoy him
as much as I have my entire life.
Introduction and quote compilation by Laura S. Moncur, Staff Writer.
- “It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English — up to fifty words used in correct context — no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese.”
“Prejudice is making a judgment before you have looked at the facts. Postjudice is making a judgment afterwards. Prejudice is terrible, in the sense that you commit injustices and
you make serious mistakes. Postjudice is not terrible. You can’t be perfect of course; you may
make mistakes also. But it is permissible to make a judgment after you have examined the
evidence. In some circles it is even encouraged.”
The Burden of Skepticism, Skeptical Enquirer, Vol. 12, pg. 46
“In science it often happens that scientists say, ‘You know that’s a really good argument; my
position is mistaken,’ and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old
view from them again. They really do it. It doesn’t happen as often as it should, because scientists
are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time
something like that happened in politics or religion.”
1987 CSICOP Keynote Address
“The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition.”
“But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.”
“Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy
tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than
people.”
“Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense.”
“We have heard so far the voice of life on one small world only. But we have at last begun to listen for other voices in the cosmic fugue.”
Cosmos, One Voice In The Cosmic Fugue, pg. 31
For more information about Carl Sagan, try these links:
- The Carl Sagan Page – A biography and other cool links.
- The following books and tapes are available through Amazon.com:
- The Carl Sagan Honorary Page – More detailed biography of his scientific contributions.
- Contact – The site about the popular summer movie adapted from Carl Sagan’s book.
Interviews with the director, movie transcripts, and an irritating noise from the movie.
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November 2nd, 1997 by Laura Moncur in Biography
This week marks the birthday of Will Rogers. He’s been called the Cowboy Philosopher,
but I never thought of him in that manner. My earliest recollection of anything to do
with this hilarious man dealt primarily with the newspaper. His written word was a
daily feature in my hometown newspaper. I remember reading his columns and loving
every word, never knowing that he had died long before I was ever born. It’s amazing
how well his work stands today.
It wasn’t until I had read his column for over a year that I noticed inconsistencies.
When I highlighted them to my mom, she laughed heartily, replying that the commentaries
that I had been reading were reprints. She pointed to a sentence above his picture
that gave the original date in which it ran. I felt silly, of course, but that was
just the first in a long line of silliness to come.
The following are a few of the many quotes from William Rogers. Enjoy!
Introduction and quote compilation by Laura S. Moncur, Staff Writer.
- “Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else.”
- Illiterate Digest (1924),
“In Hollywood the woods are full of people that learned to write but evidently can’t read; if they could read their stuff, they’d stop writing.”
“When you put down the good things you ought to have done, and leave out the bad ones you did do – well, that’s Memoirs.”
The Autobiography of Will Rogers (1949)
“The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.”
“You can’t say that civilization don’t advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way.”
New York Times, 23 Dec 1929
“Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice doggie’ until you can find a rock.”
“Let Wall Street have a nightmare and the whole country has to help get them back in bed again.”
The Autobiography of Will Rogers (1949)
“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.”
New York Times, 29 Apr 1930
“Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing — and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even.”
“Instead of giving money to found colleges to promote learning, why don’t they pass a
constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as good as
the Prohibition one did, why, in five years we would have the smartest race of people on
earth.”
For more information about Will Rogers, try these links:
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January 20th, 1997 by Michael Moncur in Biography
On January 20th America celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as one of the greatest civil rights
leaders of all time. Although best known for his “I have a dream” speech, King’s writings and speeches are all worthy
of attention. I’ve selected a few of my favorite quotes for this first installment of Quotes of the Week. See the bottom of
this page for links to other sources of writings and speeches, and information about King’s life and his dream.
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“I submit to you that if a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”
- Speech in Detroit, June 23, 1963
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“Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It
is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the
true meaning of its creed: – ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
- Speech at Civil Rights March on Washington, August 28, 1963
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily
defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
Ibid.
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“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
- Strength to Love, 1963
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“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
- Ibid.
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“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
- Ibid.
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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
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“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
- Speech at St. Louis, March 22, 1964
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“…And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you
to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about
anything. I’m not fearing any man.”
- Speech in Memphis, April 3, 1968, the day before King was assassinated
More about Martin Luther King, Jr.:
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