Isaac Asimov Quotes

1920–1992 United States

Isaac Asimov (c. 2 January 1920 – 6 April 1992) was a Russian-born American biochemist who was a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction. His works include the Foundation series and I, Robot.

United States
Essayists
Humorists
Memoirists
Novelists

Also known as: Asimov, Asimov, Isaac, Isaac asimov, The Foundation Series

Random Isaac Asimov quote

336 quotes

I see your vile implication. My only explanation for it is that you are criminally insane.

Empire novels (1950)

I made up my mind long ago to follow one cardinal rule in all my writing — to be clear.

Introduction to Nemesis (1989)

To the rest of the Galaxy, if they are aware of us at all, Earth is but a pebble in the sky. To us it is home, and all the home we know.

Empire novels (1950)

I don't like anything that's got to be. I want to know why.

The Gods Themselves (1972)

Earlier in the book, I mentioned my lack of any real feeling of affection for infants and children. I am not exactly sold on teenagers either.

I. Asimov: A Memoir (1994)

It is amazing how the young women flock about me now that I’m old and harmless. Where were they when I could have taken wicked advantage of their affection?

I. Asimov: A Memoir (1994)

The house was somehow very lonely at night and Dr. Darell found that the fate of the Galaxy made remarkably little difference while his daughter's mad little life was in danger.

The Foundation series (1951)

There are many aspects of the universe that still cannot be explained satisfactorily by science; but ignorance only implies ignorance that may someday be conquered. To surrender to ignorance and call it God has always been premature, and it remains premature today.

Radiation, unlike smoking, drinking, and overeating, gives no pleasure, so the possible victims object.

The Journal of NIH Research (1990)

"It seems an uncommonly woundabout and hopelessly wigmawolish method of getting anywheahs."

The Foundation series (1951)

Does said, “You’re not a…a believer?”
“I’m a scholar,” said Mycelium with obvious pride.

The Foundation series (1951)

Where any answer is possible, all answers are meaningless.

The Road to Infinity (1979)

All life is nucleic acid; the rest is commentary

The history of science is full of revolutionary advances that required small insights that anyone might have had, but that, in fact, only one person did.

I just work on the principle that of all the virtues gratitude (next to honesty) is the greatest, and that has helped me on numerous occasions in my life.

I. Asimov: A Memoir (1994)

There is no version of primeval history, preceding the discoveries of modern science, that is as rational and as inspiring as that of the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis.

In the Beginning (1981)

The same man who could not find it in his conscience to curb his curiosity into the nuclear studies that might someday kill half of Earth would risk his life to save that of an unimportant fellow man.

Empire novels (1950)

Courtiers don't take wagers against the king's skill. There is the deadly danger of winning.

The Foundation series (1951)

I don’t say it was deliberate fraud. He was probably madly sincere, and sincerely mad.

The Complete Stories, Volume 1 (1990)

To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well.

The Foundation series (1951)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Isaac Asimov (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.