Few people have left such a profound mark on the world of science (and beyond) as Stephen Hawking. His brain operated on a level that most of us only dream of, but he had a knack for breaking down complex ideas with a sprinkle of wit and wisdom.
Whether you’re a physics nerd or just someone who appreciates a clever thought, these quotes by Stephen Hawking are sure to spark your curiosity about the universe – and maybe even life itself.
Here are 25 of the most thought-provoking and insightful Stephen Hawking quotes. Some will make you contemplate the stars, others will give you a much-needed reality check about your daily struggles.
Let’s dive in!
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“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”
Classic Hawking: a reminder that the universe is vast and full of possibilities, even if your inbox has 67 unread emails.
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“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”
If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that life will keep changing – whether it’s the weather or the latest iPhone update.
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“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
Here’s a humbling thought: thinking you know everything is worse than knowing nothing. Ouch.
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“People who boast about their IQ are losers.”
Hawking had an IQ over 160 but never felt the need to boast. So, let’s leave the humblebrags at the door.
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“However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”
Take it from a guy who was given two years to live… in 1963.
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“Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny.”
Hawking knew that humour was an essential survival tool, even when grappling with the most challenging situations.
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“I am just a child who has never grown up. I still keep asking these ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions.”
Curiosity keeps the brain young. So, go ahead – Google everything.
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“We are all now connected by the internet, like neurons in a giant brain.”
Stephen Hawking foresaw the interconnectedness of the digital world, even if he might not have foreseen TikTok.
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“Quiet people have the loudest minds.”
Hawking, who lost his ability to speak, reminds us that silence doesn’t equal inactivity. The mind can still be roaring with ideas.
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“Work gives you meaning and purpose, and life is empty without it.”
Love it or hate it, work fills our days with more than just tasks – it gives us something to strive for (even on Mondays).
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“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist.”
Perfectionists, this one’s for you. It’s okay if the cake sinks in the middle.
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“My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”
Casual goal, right? No pressure.
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“Without imperfection, you or I would not exist.”
Hawking embraced imperfections as the very things that make life (and the universe) possible.
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“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special.”
Feeling insignificant? Hawking reminds us that our ability to think, reason, and discover is what truly sets us apart.
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“It matters if you just don’t give up.”
This is probably the most reassuring quote when life’s hurdles start feeling like a marathon.
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“The universe doesn’t allow perfection.”
Even the universe knows that imperfection is where things get interesting.
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“Time travel may be possible, but it is not practical.”
This one’s a bummer for anyone hoping to meet their future self or take a weekend trip to Ancient Rome.
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“God may exist, but science can explain the universe without the need for a creator.”
A nod to his stance on atheism, Hawking always approached the question of existence through the lens of science.
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“To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.”
Translation: stop worrying so much about the Wi-Fi signal and think about space every once in a while.
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“Women. They are a complete mystery.”
Even the man who cracked some of the universe’s toughest puzzles admitted defeat on this one.
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“It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.”
Considering human history, this is both a funny and slightly alarming thought.
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“I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predestined and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.”
A cheeky reminder that our actions matter, even if we philosophise about fate.
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“If time travel is possible, where are the tourists from the future?”
Hawking used this question as one of his logical arguments against time travel. So far, no tourists in sight.
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“We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.”
The good news: we’re smart. The bad news: we might not be the best company for extraterrestrial life.
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“There should be no boundaries to human endeavour. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. While there’s life, there is hope.”
A final note of optimism. Hawking’s life was the ultimate testament to this belief.
These quotes offer more than just a glimpse into the genius of Stephen Hawking – they reveal a man who embraced life, with all its questions, imperfections, and mysteries.
His humour and optimism shine through in his words, making even the most complex topics feel relatable. Whether it’s science, philosophy, or just a bad day, there’s always a Stephen Hawking quote that seems to fit the moment.
A Little Extra Wisdom: Wizdom App
If Stephen Hawking’s quotes have left you craving more bite-sized knowledge, there’s an app for that: Wizdom.
Whether you’re looking for summaries of self-help books or a quick hit of motivation, Wizdom curates insights from top books into easy-to-digest chunks. It’s like having a pocket-sized mentor ready to inspire you at any moment. After all, as Hawking said, intelligence is the ability to adapt to change – so why not adapt to smarter reading habits too?
Try the Wizdom app today, and get closer to mastering the art of living (or at least making it through your to-do list with a little more grace).
