Future Quote by Carl Sagan
““If we continue to accumulate only power and not wisdom, we will surely destroy ourselves. Our very existence in that distant time requires that we will have changed our institutions and ourselves. How can I dare to guess about humans in the far future? It is, I think, only a matter of natural selection. If we become even slightly more violent, shortsighted, ignorant, and selfish than we are now, almost certainly we will have no future.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1990s (public lecture)
Power without wisdom leads to self‑destruction; future survival depends on ethical evolution.
In simple terms: Power alone is dangerous; wisdom needed.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate wisdom alongside power.
Themes
future
ethics
humanity
progress
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- environmental stewardship
- global governance
Key Concepts
evolutionary biology
philosophy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies prioritize wisdom?
- What safeguards prevent power abuse?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist change despite knowledge.
![“[ 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)
