Isaac Asimov Quotes

A collection of quotes by Isaac Asimov.

Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) was an American writer and professor of biochemistry, best known for his contributions to science fiction and popular science. He was born in Petrovichi, Russia, and immigrated with his family to the United States when he was only three years old. Asimov demonstrated a keen interest in science from a young age, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in 1948.

While pursuing a successful career as a professor, Asimov became a prolific writer, penning numerous science fiction novels and short stories that showcased his immense imagination and scientific knowledge. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential science fiction writers of all time, having authored works such as the Foundation series, the Robot series, and the Galactic Empire series. Asimov's writing often explored the relationship between technology, humanity, and the future, displaying his ability to blend intricate scientific concepts with compelling storytelling.

Beyond his fiction work, Asimov was also committed to popularizing science. He wrote several non-fiction books, providing accessible explanations of scientific principles and discoveries. Asimov's passion for science communication made him a beloved figure in the field, earning him accolades such as the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker Awards, among others.

Throughout his career, Isaac Asimov's creative output spanned over 500 books across various genres, making him one of the most prolific writers in history. His innovative ideas, boundless imagination, and ability to engage with both scientific and general audiences solidified his legacy as an influential author and science advocate.

There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there

There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.

The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the kn

The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.

Dalton's records, carefully preserved for a century, were de

Dalton's records, carefully preserved for a century, were destroyed during the World War II bombing of Manchester. It is not only the living who are killed in war.

And above all things, never think that you're not good enoug

And above all things, never think that you're not good enough yourself. A man should never think that. My belief is that in life people will take you at your own reckoning.

He had read much, if one considers his long life but his con

He had read much, if one considers his long life but his contemplation was much more than his reading. He was wont to say that if he had read as much as other men he should have known no more than other men.

I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.

I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.

Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ev

Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today - but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.

It takes more than capital to swing business. You've got to

It takes more than capital to swing business. You've got to have the A. I. D. degree to get by - Advertising, Initiative, and Dynamics.

I believe in evidence. I believe in observation, measurement

I believe in evidence. I believe in observation, measurement, and reasoning, confirmed by independent observers. I'll believe anything, no matter how wild and ridiculous, if there is evidence for it. The wilder and more ridiculous something is, however, the firmer and more solid the evidence will have to be.

Science Observation

Q. You do not consider your statement a disloyal one? A. No,

Q. You do not consider your statement a disloyal one? A. No, sir. Scientific truth is beyond loyalty and disloyalty. Q. You are sure that your statement represents scientific truth? A. I am.

The young specialist in English Lit, ... lectured me severel

The young specialist in English Lit, ... lectured me severely on the fact that in every century people have thought they understood the Universe at last, and in every century they were proved to be wrong. It follows that the one thing we can say about our modern 'knowledge' is that it is wrong.... My answer to him was

Science Knowledge

There are many aspects of the universe that still cannot be

There are many aspects of the universe that still cannot be explained satisfactorily by science; but ignorance only implies ignorance that may someday be conquered. To surrender to ignorance and call it God has always been premature, and it remains premature today.

Science is a mechanism, a way of trying to improve your know

Science is a mechanism, a way of trying to improve your knowledge of nature. It's a system for testing your thoughts against the universe, and seeing whether they match.

Science Universe

I've lived most of my life already and I suppose I can argue

I've lived most of my life already and I suppose I can argue myself into believing that I have no great cause to love humanity. However, only a few people have hurt me, and if I hurt everyone in return that is unconscionable usury.

Life Love People

It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish w

It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.

Business Work Bravery Strength Inspirational Challenge Motivation

One might suppose that reality must be held to at all costs.

One might suppose that reality must be held to at all costs. However, though that may be the moral thing to do, it is not necessarily the most useful thing to do. The Greeks themselves chose the ideal over the real in their geometry and demonstrated very well that far more could be achieved by consideration of abstract line and form than by a study of the real lines and forms of the world; the greater understanding achieved through abstraction could be applied most usefully to the very reality that was ignored in the process of gaining knowledge.

Reality Science Knowledge Math

There's so knowledge to be had that specialists cling to the

There's so knowledge to be had that specialists cling to their specialties as a shield against having to know anything about anything else. They avoid being drowned.

Science Science Fiction Scientists Foundation Isaac Asimov Prelude To Foundation

I, on the other hand, am a finished product. I absorb electr

I, on the other hand, am a finished product. I absorb electrical energy directly and utilize it with an almost one hundred percent efficiency. I am composed of strong metal, am continuously conscious, and can stand extremes of environment easily. These are facts which, with the self-evident proposition that no being can create another being superior to itself, smashes your silly hypothesis to nothing.

Emotionally I am an atheist. I don't have the evidence to pr

Emotionally I am an atheist. I don't have the evidence to prove that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time.

God Religion Science Knowledge Atheism Belief Interview

It is not so much that I have confidence in scientists being

It is not so much that I have confidence in scientists being right, but that I have so much in nonscientists being wrong.

Science Confidence Evidence