Courses Quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson
“Newton, Einstein, and every other great scientist in history...They all made mistakes. Of course they did. They're human! Science is a way to keep from fooling ourselves and each other.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public lecture, 2018
Science progresses through trial, error, and humility, acknowledging human fallibility.
In simple terms: Mistakes are part of scientific growth.
Embrace error, stay skeptical.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research labs
- education
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle being wrong?
- What safeguards prevent collective self‑deception?
Science cannot guarantee certainty; it evolves with new evidence.