11 Stephen Hawking Quotes for His 71st Birthday
When Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at age 21,
doctors thought he'd only survive a few more years. But the theoretical physicist
defied the odds: Hawking turns 71 today. Here are 11 quotes from the Director of
Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at Cambridge and author of
A Brief History of Time. Happy birthday, professor!
1. ON HIS SCHOOLING:
"At school, I was never more than about halfway up the class. It was a very bright
class. My classwork was very untidy, and my handwriting was the despair of
my teachers. But my classmates gave me the nickname Einstein, so presumably
they saw signs of something better. When I was twelve, one of my friends bet
another friend a bag of sweets that I would never come to anything. I don't know if this
bet was ever settled, and if so, which way it was decided..."
From the lecture "My Brief History," 2010.
2. ON CONTACTING ALIENS:
"If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America,
which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans. We only have to look at ourselves to
see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet."
From Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking, 2010.
3. ON THE EUREKA MOMENT SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY:
“I wouldn’t compare it to sex, but it lasts longer.”
From a lecture at Arizona State University, April 2011.
4. ON DISABILITY:
"If you are disabled, it is probably not your fault, but it is no good blaming the world
or expecting it to take pity on you. One has to have a positive attitude and must make
the best of the situation that one finds oneself in; if one is physically disabled,
one cannot afford to be psychologically disabled as well. In my opinion, one
should concentrate on activities in which one's physical disability will not present
a serious handicap. I am afraid that Olympic Games for the disabled do not appeal
to me, but it is easy for me to say that because I never liked athletics anyway.
On the other hand, science is a very good area for disabled people because
it goes on mainly in the mind. Of course, most kinds of experimental work
are probably ruled out for most such people, but theoretical work is almost
ideal. My disabilities have not been a significant handicap in my field, which is
theoretical physics. Indeed, they have helped me in a way by shielding me from
lecturing and administrative work that I would otherwise have been involved in.
I have managed, however, only because of the large amount of help I have received
from my wife, children, colleagues and students. I find that people in general are very
ready to help, but you should encourage them to feel that their efforts to aid you are
worthwhile by doing as well as you possibly can."
From "Handicapped People and Science," Science Digest 92, No. 9, September 1984.
5. ON TIME TRAVEL:
"I would go back to 1967, and the birth of my first child, Robert. My three children have
brought me great joy."
To the New York Times, May 2011.
6. ON FATE VS. FREE WILL:
"I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can
do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."
7. ON SCIENCE VS. RELIGION:
"There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority,
[and] science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win,
because it works."
To Diane Sawyer/ABC News, June 2010.
8. ON IMPERFECTION:
"Next time someone complains that you have made a mistake, tell him that may
be a good thing. Because without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist."
From Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking, 2010.
9. ON HIS I.Q.:
"I have no idea. People who boast about their I.Q. are losers."
To the New York Times, December 2004.
10. ON WOMEN:
“They are a complete mystery.”
To the New Scientist, January 2012.
11. ON THE ADVICE HE GAVE HIS CHILDREN:
"One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give
up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three,
if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away."
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