Shared before but always worth repeating.
Written by Carl Sagan about a famous photograph of the Earth. Not actually to do with the photo above but there is a connection all the same. The one he is talking about, the Pale Blue Dot, can be seen here.
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.
Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
Thanks for looking and
I hope your day is a great one.
I have left this link that will take you to my other posts with Mr. Sagan’s quotes.
Great quote Denise!! Respect for all beings and nature and above all kindness! Have a great Sunday Denise!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comment Katerina, it is so very much appreciated :)
DeleteCarl Sagan’s reflection on the “Pale Blue Dot” is a profound and humbling meditation on humanity’s place in the cosmos.
ReplyDeletePerfectly worded Roentare, thank you! :)
DeleteIt's a good read, Denise.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too Margaret, thank you! :)
DeleteCarl Sagan’s words are imprinted on me as though he spoke them yesterday.
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t have said it better David, I feel the same way :)
DeleteI already left a comment for you, Denise, but I think I am going to post these words on my blog. Thanks for reminding me of them. If you think that I am in any way stealing your thunder I will refrain from doing so, but it’s an important message and the more it’s disseminated the better. You don’t need to publish this remark, but if you prefer that I not do it right away let me know and I will respect that decision. David
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking David, I sent you a message saying I would be very honored if you reposted Mr. Sagan’s words. No stealing of thunder is felt, it is too important a message and I am very happy you will share them :)
DeleteExcellent read. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, and you are very welcome :)
DeleteLovely quotation from Sagan. There's a wonderful series of installations in the streets of Ithaca NY showing planetary distances, in his honor.
ReplyDeleteHello Boud, it is something I like to read frequently. His words are powerful. I would love to see these installations, thank you for letting me know about them.
DeleteWonderful Sunday perspective.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that Christine, thank you :)
DeleteWe are grains of sand!
ReplyDeleteWell said Jenn, indeed we are :)
DeleteI am a huge fan of all things made of stone and those who have talented hands to make them. Lovely post
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
Me to Cecilia, and I like the more traditional art. Thank you so much! Sending hugs!
DeleteMr. Sagan's words are those of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteVery much so and he was a very wise man, a sad loss to the world but he left a wonderful legacy in his words.
DeleteBeen many long years since I have read these words in full. I remember when we first saw this photo of the earth and how humbling and beautiful it was. Still is. Thanks, Denise! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, that photo truly is amazing, we are but a speck of dust in the universe. You are very welcome Rita and thank you :)
DeleteYou remind me to find more Carl Sagan to read.
ReplyDeleteMe too Red :) Thank you!
DeleteThank you for sharing this quote and message from Carl Sagan.
ReplyDeleteOur earth our home, it is the only home we have. We must protect our planet Earth.
Take care, have a wonderful week!
You are very welcome Eileen, and thank you! You take care and have a wonderful week also :)
DeleteHi sorry you cannot follow me, I am not sure what is wrong.
ReplyDeleteCarl Sagan was one of a kind, a very intelligent and talented man. I loved that man.
Thank you Ananka but most blogs won't let me do that now. Other bloggers have had these difficulties also, with many other blogs. I seem to have heard somewhere that blogger is doing away with this gadget and it will be a sad loss. I tend to look at my followers lists of blogs and always enjoy what they share. I agree with your comment on Carl Sagan, he was an incredible human being.
DeleteWith all the unrest in the world right now, it's hard to think of peace, and kindness. We seem to have forgotten what those words mean. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
I know what you mean Sandy but there are many of us, you included, who think of peace and kindness. One little snowball rolling downhill. Let's hope one day it will gather momentum. Thank you!
DeleteGood read
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated Ashok, thank you!
DeleteIs that photo from Frederick, MD? Trompe l'oeil along the stream/canal there in town?
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia, yes it is. I have more here:
Deletehttps://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com/search/label/Frederick_MD
We were there about this time in 2017.
A lovely post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
So glad you enjoyed Jan, thanks so much and all the best to you too :)
DeleteThat's a beautiful image carved in the brick, Denise. You always seem to find the unique beauty in your everyday travels, my friend. Have a peaceful Sunday, and a pleasant week ahead.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you Sheri, we were very happy to come across this amazing art. I wish you the same my friend :)
DeleteRespect, kindness and a good dose of humility are much needed today. Thoughtful and refective words from Carl Sagan.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Beverley, couldn't have said it better. Thank you! :)
DeleteI agree.. well said.
ReplyDeleteThank you Hena, I appreciate that :)
DeleteA profound reflection.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra, much appreciated :)
Delete