--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those afraid of the universe as it really…" description: "\"Those afraid of the universe as it really is, those who pretend to nonexistent knowledge and envision a Cosmos centered on human beings will prefer the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/carl-sagan-160_astronomy_those-afraid-of-the-universe-as-it-reall_2169362.jpg" --- # Those afraid of the universe as it really is, those who… ![“Those afraid of the universe as it really is, those who pretend to nonexistent knowledge and envision a Cosmos centered on human beings will prefer the fleeting comforts of superstition.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/carl-sagan-160_astronomy_those-afraid-of-the-universe-as-it-reall_2169362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/carl-sagan-160_astronomy_those-afraid-of-the-universe-as-it-reall_2169362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/carl-sagan-160_astronomy_those-afraid-of-the-universe-as-it-reall_2169362.jpg) > “Those afraid of the universe as it really is, those who pretend to nonexistent knowledge and envision a Cosmos centered on human beings will prefer the fleeting comforts of superstition.” [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People who cling to human‑centered myths reject the vast, indifferent reality of the cosmos, preferring comforting superstition. **In simple terms:** Superstition comforts those fearing the true universe. Key Takeaway Embrace scientific humility over comforting myths. Themes science humility cosmic perspective mythology Mood thoughtful humble Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - public outreach - philosophical debate Key Concepts existential awe skepticism Questions to Reflect On - How do you confront cosmic insignificance? - What role does wonder play in scientific curiosity? A Different Perspective Scientific truth can be unsettling and hard to accept. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-universe-3619854/) [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) [Beings Prefer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beings-prefer-4638857/) [Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Comforts Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comforts-superstition-3619855/) [Cosmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cosmos/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fleeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fleeting/) [Fleeting Comforts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fleeting-comforts-4638856/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Pale blue dot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pale-blue-dot/) [Sense of wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-wonder/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [Those afraid of the universe as it really is, those who pretend to nonexistent knowledge and envision a Cosmos centered on human beings will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/those-afraid-of-the-universe-as-it-really-is-those-who-pretend-to/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Those with the courage to explore the weave and structure of the Cosmos, even where it differs profoundly from their wishes and prejudices, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/those-with-the-courage-to-explore-the-weave-and-structure-of-the/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [There is perhaps no better a demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/there-is-perhaps-no-better-a-demonstration-of-the-folly-of-human/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Be grateful everyday for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/be-grateful-everyday-for-the-brief-but-magnificent-opportunity-that/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“The scope and audacity of John Kennedy’s May 25, 1961, message to a joint session of Congress on “Urgent National Needs”—the speech that launched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-scope-and-audacity-of-john-kennedy-s-may-25-1961-message-to-a/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“Look again at that dot. 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There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-has-been-said-that-astronomy-is-a-humbling-and-character-building/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [It does no harm to the romance of the sunset to know a little bit about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-does-no-harm-to-the-romance-of-the-sunset-to-know-a-little-bit/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## More by Carl Sagan > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. 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