Fred Hoyle

1915–2001 · British astronomer

Topics: learning, science

• The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein.

  — Fred Hoyle

• Quite recently I was asked to write an article to be entitled, “How to Become a Good Scientist.” In communicating my refusal to the periodical in question I was tempted to end the argument in one sentence, “By not writing articles such as this,” and then demanding my fee.

  — Fred Hoyle

• My education was still full of holes, which I made a resolve to fill. I am still trying to carry it out.

  — Fred Hoyle

• Experience shows that knowledge dies very hard once it has been obtained—the acquisition of knowledge is essentially irreversible, a truth already recognized in the Garden of Eden.

  — Fred Hoyle