Care Quote by Carl Sagan
“The significance of our lives and our fragile planet is then determined only by our own wisdom and courage. We are the custodians of life's meaning. We long for a Parent to care for us, to forgive us our errors, to save us from our childish mistakes. But knowledge is preferable to ignorance. Better by far to embrace the hard truth than a reassuring fable. If we crave some cosmic purpose, then let us find ourselves a worthy goal.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Cosmos, Carl Sagan, 1980
Human responsibility for Earth and meaning depends on wisdom and courage; we seek guidance but must face truth and set worthy goals.
In simple terms: Our meaning and planet’s fate rely on wise, courageous choices; avoid comforting lies.
Key Takeaway
Choose truth, set a meaningful purpose.
Themes
responsibility
wisdom
courage
meaning
environment
Mood
reflective
determined
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- environmental policy
- spiritual reflection
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical stewardship
human purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- What purpose will you pursue?
- How can you balance truth with hope?
A Different Perspective
Hard truths can be unsettling and may demotivate some.
![“[Kepler] preferred the hard truth to his dearest illusions, and that is the heart of science.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/400/carl-sagan-160_hard_kepler-preferred-the-hard-truth-to-his-d_1407122.jpg)
![“[ 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)
