In memory of one of the greatest scientists of our time, here are seven Stephen Hawking quotes we can all learn something from:
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”
At the Paralympic Games in 2012, held in London, Stephen Hawking narrated a part of the opening ceremony:
“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with”
On the topic of disability, he also said in a documentary:
“Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.”
In 1993, Stephen Hawking appeared in a TV advert highlighting the importance of communication:
“For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible. Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn’t have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.”
We could all do with hearing this one:
“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”
…And he also had a killer sense of humour:
“Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny.”
Despite the odds being stacked against him, he always stayed positive and continued to make incredible discoveries and develop theories which scientists will continue use and build upon for the rest of time:
“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.” […] “I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.”
