“Do we, holding that the gods exist,
deceive ourselves with insubstantial dreams
and lies, while random careless chance and
change alone control the world?”
Source: Contact (1985), Chapter 10 (p. 157, quoting Euripides)
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Carl Sagan 365
American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author and science ed… 1934–1996Related quotes
“Are these signs of hope, or do we deceive ourselves by wishing them to be?”
Source: The Chronicles of Prydain (1964–1968), Book V : The High King (1968), Chapter 15 (Taran)

Address to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (14 June 1946)

“We live as we dream - alone. While the dream disappears, the life continues painfully.”
Source: Heart of Darkness

“The world changes, we do not, therein lies the irony that kills us.”
Source: Interview with the Vampire

Variant: But sleep? On a night like this? What an idea! Just think of how many thoughts a blanket smothers while one lies alone in bed, and how many unhappy dreams it keeps warm.
Source: The Complete Stories
“We shouldn't see ourselves as ‘controllers' of the world, but as ‘actors' in the world.”
Zire Notes (May 2004 - December 2006)