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About this quote

What does it mean?
Sagan reminds us that the universe follows its own laws, not human desires.
In plain terms
Reality does not change to fit our hopes.
What can you take from it?
Accept reality as it is.

Where it applies

  • dealing with hardship
  • scientific education

Putting it to work

  • focus on what is real
  • adjust expectations

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle disappointment?
  • Does the universe owe us anything?

Another view

Human ambition drives progress despite constraints.

More from Carl Sagan

  1. The Universe forces those who live in it to understand it. Those creatures who find everyday experience a muddled jumble of events with no predictability, no r…

    Permalink to quote #88
  2. The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent.

    Permalink to quote #90
  3. 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 lau…

    Permalink to quote #87

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