100 Top Most Popular Isaac Asimov Quotes

Isaac Asimov Quotes

About Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the “Big Three” science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. A prolific writer, he wrote or edited more than 500 books.
Born: 2 January 1920, Petrovichi, Russia
Died: 6 April 1992, Manhattan, New York, United States

100 Top Quotes by Isaac Asimov in English

  1. The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  2. “I am not a speed reader. I am a speed understander.”
  3. “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”
  4. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  5. “The best way to predict the future is to understand the present.”
  6. “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
  7. “The saddest words in the English language are ‘what might have been.'”
  8. “It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say ‘It’s as plain as the nose on your face.’ But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?”
  9. “I write for the same reason I breathe – because if I didn’t, I would die.”
  10. “The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”
  11. “The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition.”
  12. “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
  13. “The most important phrase in science is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  14. “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.”
  15. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
  16. “People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.”
  17. “There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has 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.'”
  18. “The advance of civilization is nothing but an exercise in the limiting of privacy.”
  19. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
  20. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  21. “Science does not purvey absolute truth. 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.”
  22. “The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.”
  23. “Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.”
  24. “The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created–created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”
  25. “No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  26. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…
  1. “Science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  2. “I am not a robot. I am a free man.”
  3. “Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.”
  4. “If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.”
  5. “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers.”
  6. “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.”
  7. “I prefer rationalism to atheism. The question of God and other objects-of-faith are outside reason and play no part in rationalism, thus you don’t have to waste your time in either attacking or defending.”
  8. “It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.”
  9. “Creationists make it sound like a ‘theory’ is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night.”
  10. “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.”
  11. “It is the writer who might catch the imagination of young people, and plant a seed that will flower and come to fruition.”
  12. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…’ “
  13. “To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well.”
  14. “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.”
  15. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  16. “The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.”
  17. “The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  18. “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”
  19. “A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.”
  20. “Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.”
  21. “It takes a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious.”
  22. “It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  23. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  24. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  25. “I don’t believe in an afterlife, so I don’t have to spend my whole life fearing hell, or fearing heaven even more. For whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse.”
  26. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
  27. “I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.”
  28. “The saddest words in the English language are ‘what
  1. “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.”
  2. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  3. “To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well.”
  4. “I prefer rationalism to atheism. The question of God and other objects-of-faith are outside reason and play no part in rationalism, thus you don’t have to waste your time in either attacking or defending.”
  5. “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.”
  6. “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers.”
  7. “If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.”
  8. “Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.”
  9. “I am not a robot. I am a free man.”
  10. “Science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  11. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  12. “The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.”
  13. “The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  14. “It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  15. “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.”
  16. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  17. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  18. “The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.”
  19. “The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  20. “It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
  21. “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”
  22. “A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.”
  23. “Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.”
  24. “It takes a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious.”
  25. “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
  26. “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
  27. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  28. “The key to wisdom
  1. “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.”
  2. “If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.”
  3. “Science fiction writers foresee the inevitable, and although problems and catastrophes may be inevitable, solutions are not.”
  4. “The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.”
  5. “The universe is vast and awesome, and for the first time we are becoming a part of it.”
  6. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  7. “I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.”
  8. “There is no belief, however foolish, that will not gather its faithful adherents who will defend it to the death.”
  9. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
  10. “In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate.”
  11. “There is a single light of science, and to brighten it anywhere is to brighten it everywhere.”
  12. “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.'”
  13. “Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest.”
  14. “Science doesn’t purvey absolute truth. 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.”
  15. “I write for the same reason I breathe because if I didn’t, I would die.”
  16. “To insult someone we call him ‘bestial.’ For deliberate cruelty and nature, ‘human’ might be the greater insult.”
  17. “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
  18. “I do not fear truth. I welcome it. But I wish all of my facts to be in their proper context.”

FAQs:

  1. Who was Isaac Asimov?

Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry, known for his prolific contributions to science fiction and popular science. He wrote or edited over 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards, and is considered one of the most important and influential authors in the genre.

  1. What are some of Isaac Asimov’s most famous works?

Asimov’s most famous works include the Foundation series, the Robot series, and the Galactic Empire series, as well as his popular science books such as “The Intelligent Man’s Guide to Science” and “The Chemicals of Life.”

  1. What is the Foundation series about?

The Foundation series is a series of science fiction novels and short stories that explore the concept of psychohistory, a hypothetical science that can predict the future behavior of large groups of people. The series follows the story of Hari Seldon, a mathematician who creates a plan to save humanity from a coming dark age.

  1. What is the Robot series about?

The Robot series is a series of science fiction novels and short stories that explore the relationship between humans and robots in a future society. The series features the character of Susan Calvin, a robot psychologist, and her interactions with various robots and humans.

  1. What is the Galactic Empire series about?

The Galactic Empire series is a series of science fiction novels and short stories that explore the history of a future empire spanning multiple planets and star systems. The series is set in the same universe as the Foundation series and shares some of its characters and concepts.

  1. Did Isaac Asimov write other types of books besides science fiction?

Yes, Asimov wrote extensively on a wide range of subjects, including popular science, history, and literature. Some of his most notable non-fiction works include “The New Intelligent Man’s Guide to Science,” “Asimov’s Guide to Shakespeare,” and “The Greeks: A Great Adventure.”

  1. Was Isaac Asimov involved in any other fields besides writing?

Asimov was also a professor of biochemistry at Boston University and wrote extensively on scientific topics. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

  1. Did Isaac Asimov win any awards for his writing?

Yes, Asimov won numerous awards for his writing, including multiple Hugo Awards and Nebula Awards for his science fiction, as well as the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel and the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Mystery Novel.

  1. What was Isaac Asimov’s writing style like?

Asimov was known for his clear, straightforward writing style that made complex scientific concepts accessible to a wide audience. He often used dialogue and humor to explain scientific ideas and made use of extensive research to create believable and plausible worlds in his science fiction.

  1. What was Isaac Asimov’s impact on science fiction and popular culture?

Asimov’s work had a significant impact on science fiction and popular culture, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary writers and filmmakers. His creation of the Three Laws of Robotics, which dictate the behavior of robots in his stories, has had a lasting impact on the genre and on discussions around the ethics of artificial intelligence.