When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

Arthur C. Clarke

Also known as Clarke's First Law.

More information about this quote

Topic

Technological progress Progress

Author

Arthur C. Clarke

Source

Profiles of the Future

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1962 1960s 20th century

Occupation

Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Clarke, Arthur C. "Hazards of Prophecy: The Failure of Imagination." Profiles of the Future. Gollancz, 1962.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Arthur C. Clarke about technological progress: “When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something…”
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A quote by Arthur C. Clarke about technological progress: “When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something…”
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A quote by Arthur C. Clarke about technological progress: “When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1960s

I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita…"Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."

J. Robert Oppenheimer

More information about this quote
Topic
Nuclear weapons
Speaker
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Source
The Decison to Drop the Bomb
Medium
Film
Genre
Documentary (film)
Language
English
Time
1965 1960s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Oppenheimer, J. Robert. Quoted in NBC White Paper: The Decision to Drop the Bomb. Narrated by Chet Huntley, directed by Fred Freed and Len Giovannitti, written by Fred Freed, 5 Jan. 1965, NBC.

Another quote about Progress

Justice is love on legs, spilling over into the public sphere.

Cornel West

More information about this quote
Topic
Love as action Justice Political progress Progress
Speaker
Cornel West
Source
Big Think
Medium
Interview
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
2009 2000s 21st century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

West, Cornell. "Cornell West's Catastrophic Love." BigThink.com, 6 Nov. 2009.