Isaac Asimov on thinking

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ (I found it!) but ‘That’s funny…’

Why is it that you physicists always require so much expensive equipment? Now the Department of Mathematics requires nothing but money for paper, pencils, and erasers…and the Department of Philosophy is better still. It doesn’t even ask for erasers.

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.

Eleanor Roosevelt1884–1962

• Ideas

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Aristotle384–322 BC

• Education
• Ideas

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

Confucius551–479 BC

• Education