---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ninety-five percent of all the species…"
description: "\"“Ninety-five percent of all the species that have ever existed are now extinct, so don’t look so goddamn smug. —GERARD RYDER”\" — Christopher Moore"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/christopher-moore-353_extinct_ninety-five-percent-of-all-the-species-t_3118744.jpg"
---

#  Ninety-five percent of all the species that have ever…

![“Ninety-five percent of all the species that have ever existed are now extinct, so don’t look so goddamn smug. —GERARD RYDER” quote by Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/christopher-moore-353_extinct_ninety-five-percent-of-all-the-species-t_3118744.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/christopher-moore-353_extinct_ninety-five-percent-of-all-the-species-t_3118744.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dda/christopher-moore-353_extinct_ninety-five-percent-of-all-the-species-t_3118744.jpg)

> ““Ninety-five percent of all the species that have ever existed are now extinct, so don’t look so goddamn smug. —GERARD RYDER””

[Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Most species are extinct, reminding us not to be arrogant about our existence.

**In simple terms:** Many species are gone, stay humble.

Key Takeaway

Respect life's fragility.

Themes

humility extinction perspective

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- conservation activism
- education
- personal worldview

Key Concepts

evolutionary biology environmental ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How does this change your view of humanity?
- What actions can reduce arrogance?

A Different Perspective

Human impact can be mitigated with effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Extinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extinction/)

## Related quotes

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> [99.99 percent of all species that have ever lived are no longer with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/99-99-percent-of-all-species-that-have-ever-lived-are-no-longer-with/)

[Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/)

> [There are millions of different species of animals and plants on earth--possibly as many as forty million. But somewhere between five and fifty BILLION…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-m-raup/there-are-millions-of-different-species-of-animals-and-plants-on/)

[David M. Raup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-m-raup/)

> [“Of the many species that have existed on earth--estimates run as high as fifty billion--more than ninety-nine per cent have disappeared. In the light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-kolbert/of-the-many-species-that-have-existed-on-earth-estimates-run-as-high-2/)

[Elizabeth Kolbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kolbert/)

> [Of the many species that have existed on earth - estimates run as high as fifty billion - more than ninety-nine per cent have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-kolbert/of-the-many-species-that-have-existed-on-earth-estimates-run-as-high/)

[Elizabeth Kolbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kolbert/)

> [The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-niven/the-dinosaurs-became-extinct-because-they-didn-t-have-a-space-program/)

[Larry Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-niven/)

> [“They may not become extinct immediately, but being pushed out of decaying or destroyed habitats eventually takes its toll. The concept is known as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-childs/they-may-not-become-extinct-immediately-but-being-pushed-out-of/)

[Craig Childs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-childs/)

> [“By the time Lyall set foot on the shores of Stephens Island, almost a third of New Zealand’s unique species were already extinct due…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-p-marra/by-the-time-lyall-set-foot-on-the-shores-of-stephens-island-almost-a/)

[Peter P. Marra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-p-marra/)

> [The only thing we can't buy more of is time." she said. "And dodo birds. We can't buy any more of them. they're extinct.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/the-only-thing-we-can-t-buy-more-of-is-time-she-said-and-dodo-birds/)

[Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/)

> [Species are going extinct because of habitat loss and warming. I feel deeply responsible and think about it every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-heller/species-are-going-extinct-because-of-habitat-loss-and-warming-i-feel/)

[Peter Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-heller/)

> [“Left alone, the Florida panther would be remembered as a textbook exercise on how to go extinct while your abundant and vociferous advocates argue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-j-o-brien/left-alone-the-florida-panther-would-be-remembered-as-a-textbook/)

[Stephen J. O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-j-o-brien/)

> [“You go into extinction by being obsessed about becoming something else and then travelling in the wrong car while your real self keeps waiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/you-go-into-extinction-by-being-obsessed-about-becoming-something/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

## More by Christopher Moore

> [“Love them all," said Renoir. "That is the secret, young man. Love them all." The painter let go of his arm and shrugged. "Then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/love-them-all-said-renoir-that-is-the-secret-young-man-love-them-all/)

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[Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/)

> [Canada is a myth people made up to entertain children, like the Tooth Fairy. There’s no such place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/canada-is-a-myth-people-made-up-to-entertain-children-like-the-tooth/)

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> [Sarcasm will make your tits fall off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/sarcasm-will-make-your-tits-fall-off/)

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[Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/)

> [The prospect of change is a many-fanged beast, my dear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/the-prospect-of-change-is-a-many-fanged-beast-my-dear/)

[Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/)

> [“The night was crisp and the stars shone with a cold blue light like loneliness or infinity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/the-night-was-crisp-and-the-stars-shone-with-a-cold-blue-light-like/)

[Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/)

> [Children see magic because they look for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/children-see-magic-because-they-look-for-it/)

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[Explore all 591 Christopher Moore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/)

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> [“You go into extinction by being obsessed about becoming something else and then travelling in the wrong car while your real self keeps waiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/you-go-into-extinction-by-being-obsessed-about-becoming-something/)

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Browse all 123 Extinct quotes

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