“Human beings have a demonstrated talent for self-deception when their emotions are stirred.”

— Carl Sagan, Cosmos, 1980, p. 135

About Carl Sagan

1934 – 1996

American astronomer and science communicator, author and presenter of "Cosmos".

“We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers.”

“Books are key to understanding the world and participating in a democratic society.”

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.”

“It was for this that I've been training myself, it was for this that I was practising.”

“For freedom is not acquired by satisfying yourself with what you desire, but by destroying your desire.”

“Ask yourself at every moment, "Is this necessary?"”

“A little flesh, a little breath, and a Reason to rule all—that is myself.”

“Up! mind thine own aim, and God speed the mark!”

“It may be called the Master Passion—the hunger for Self-Approval.”