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Scientifically speaking, a butterfly is at least as mysterious as a superstring. When something ceases to be mysterious it ceases to be of absorbing interest to scientists. Almost all things scientists think and dream about are mysterious.

— Freeman Dyson Infinite in All Directions (1988)

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More quotes by Freeman Dyson

The laws of nature are constructed in such a way as to make the universe as interesting as possible.

Imagined Worlds (1997)

Like many other crucially important technologies, hay emerged anonymously during the so-called Dark Ages.

Infinite in All Directions (1988)

An awareness of our smallness may help to redeem us from the arrogance which is the besetting sin of the scientists.

Infinite in All Directions (1988)

There is no such thing as a unique scientific vision, any more than there is a unique poetic vision. Science is a mosaic of partial and conflicting visions.

The Scientist As Rebel (2006)

The progress of science requires the growth of understanding in both directions, downward from the whole to the parts and upward from the parts to the whole.

The Scientist As Rebel (2006)

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Political leaders are never leaders. For leaders we have to look to the Awakeners! Lao Tse, Buddha, Socrates, Jesus, Milarepa, Gurdjiev, Krishnamurti.

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Utu, shepherd of the land, father of the black-headed, when you go to sleep, the people go to sleep with you; youth Utu, when you rise, the people rise with you.

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Some of my youthful readers are developing wonderful imaginations. This pleases me.

L. Frank Baum Introduction to The Lost Princess of Oz (1917)

Religion in so far as it is a source of consolation is a hindrance to true faith; and in this sense atheism is a purification.

Simone Weil

Attribution

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