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Science, by itself, has no moral dimension. The drug which cures when taken in small doses may kill when taken in excess. The nuclear energies that produce cheap electrical power when harnessed in a reactor may kill when abruptly released in a bomb. Thus, it does not make sense to ask a scientist whether his poison or his nuclear energy is “good” or “bad” for mankind.

— Wernher von Braun

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Source, in full

Remarks on science and God, printed in an article, "Why I Believe", in the Sunday supplement, This Week, published by the Washington, DC. Star (July 18, 1965) and reprinted in the Congressional Record, vol. 111 (July 23, 1965) p. 18072. Cf. William Masters (June 24, 1966)

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More quotes by Wernher von Braun

The rocket worked perfectly, except for landing on the wrong planet.

There is just one thing I can promise you about the outer-space program: Your tax dollar will go farther.

Reader's Digest (1961)

One of the most disconcerting issues of our time lies in the fact that modern science, along with miracle drugs and communications satellites, has also produced nuclear bombs.

Responsible Scientific Investigation and Application (1976)

I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution.

My experiences with science led me to God. They challenge science to prove the existence of God. But must we really light a candle to see the sun?

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Wernher von Braun (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.