Destroyed Quote by Carl Sagan
“History is full of people who out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power has destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value which truly belongs to us all. We must not let it happen again.”
About This Quote
Fear, ignorance, and power can destroy valuable knowledge; vigilance is needed.
In simple terms: Guard knowledge against fear and greed.
Key Takeaway
Protect and share knowledge.
Themes
knowledge
history
power
ethics
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
historical
call to action
When to use this quote
- libraries
- archives
- digital preservation
- policy making
Key Concepts
preservation
education
cultural heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- What knowledge is at risk today?
- How can societies safeguard it?
A Different Perspective
Preservation can be politically contested.
![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
