Isaac Asimov

But suppose we were to teach creationism. What would be the content of the teaching? Merely that a creator formed the universe and all species of life ready-made? Nothing more? No details?

"The Dangerous Myth of Creationism" in Penthouse (January 1982); reprinted as Ch. 2 : "Creationism and the Schools" in The Roving Mind (1983), p. 16, 1981

Titles are an important part of a story and I take considerable care in choosing one. In fact, I cannot start a story until I have chosen a title.

Banquets of the Black Widowers (1984), p. 27, 1981

In my fiction I am careful to make everything probable and to tie up all loose ends. Real life is not hampered by such considerations.

Puzzles of the Black Widowers (1984), p. 132, 1981

If one thing goes without saying, almost anything can.

In the Beginning (1981), p. 84, 1981

Science fiction offers its writers chances of embarrassment that no other form of fiction does.

Robot Dreams (1986), introduction, 1981

The true discovery of America by mankind came when those first hunting bands crossed over from Siberia 25,000 years ago. This, however, never seems to count. When people speak of the "discovery of America" they invariably mean its discovery by Europeans.

The Shaping of North America (1973), p. 6, 1971

Inspect every piece of pseudoscience and you will find a security blanket, a thumb to suck, a skirt to hold. What does the scientist have to offer in exchange? Uncertainty! Insecurity!

Asimov's Guide to Science (1972), p. 15, 1971

I recognize the necessity of animal experiments with my mind but not with my heart.

"Doctor, Doctor, Cut My Throat" (August 1972), in The Tragedy of the Moon (1973), p. 153, 1971

For man to become successful, for man to establish himself as the ruler of the planet, it was necessary for him to use his brain as something more than a device to make the daily routine of getting food and evading enemies a little more efficient. Man had to learn to control his environment."

"The Tragedy of the Moon," The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (July 1972), 1971

Had Hannibal had a government behind him that knew how to exploit victories – had he been born a Roman, for instance – he might have conquered the world.

The Land of Canaan (1971), p. 218, 1971

Ten years on the moon could tell us more about the universe than a thousand years on the earth might be able to.

What Can We Expect of the Moon?" in The American Legion Magazine, March 1965, 1957

Predicting the future is a hopeless, thankless task, with ridicule to begin with and, all too often, scorn to end with.

"The World of 1990" in The Diners' Club Magazine, January 1965, 1957

It is the nature of science that answers automatically pose new and more subtle questions.

The Wellsprings of Life (1960), p. 141, 1957

Outside intelligences, exploring the Solar System with true impartiality, would be quite likely to enter the Sun in their records thus: Star X, spectral class G0, 4 planets plus debris.

"By Jove!" in View from a Height (1963), 1957

An observer studying the Solar system dispassionately, and finding himself capable of bringing the four giant planets to his notice, could reasonably say that the Solar system consisted of one star, four planets, and some traces of debris.

"Worlds In Order" in The Secret of the Universe (1992), p. 63. Often misquoted as "Jupiter plus debris"., 1957