Speaking is an interview on Israeli TV in December 2006, Stephen Hawking had this incredible quote to bear: “The downside of my celebrity is that I cannot go anywhere in the world without being recognized; it is not enough for me to wear dark sunglasses and a wig; the wheelchair gives me away”.
Stephen Hawking, renowned as one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen, captured the public’s imagination as a trapped mind exploring the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
The celebrated theoretical physicist passed away in the early hours of Wednesday March 14 at the age of 76.
“We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love’. We will miss him forever,” his children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement.
Here are some memorable quotes from one of the world’s most famous scientists:
A Brief History Of Time, published 1988 – “If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we would know the mind of God”.
Interview in The New York Times, December 2004 – “My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus”.
The Nature Of Space And Time, published 1996 – “Einstein was wrong when he said, ‘God does not play dice’. Consideration of black holes suggests, not only that God does play dice, but that he sometimes confuses us by throwing them where they can’t be seen”.
The Grand Design, published 2010 – “It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going”.
Interview in The New York Times, December 2004 – “I want my books sold on airport bookstalls”.
Interview on Israeli TV, December 2006 – “The downside of my celebrity is that I cannot go anywhere in the world without being recognised. It is not enough for me to wear dark sunglasses and a wig. The wheelchair gives me away”.
In Into The Universe With Stephen Hawking, The Discovery Channel, 2010 – “Without imperfection, you or I would not exist”.
Quoted in People’s Daily Online, June 2006 – “The victim should have the right to end his life, if he wants. But I think it would be a great mistake. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there’s life, there is hope”.
Interview in The New York Times, December 2004 – “People who boast about their IQ are losers”.
In Naked Science: Alien Contact, The National Geographic Channel, 2004 – “I think it would be a disaster. The extraterrestrials would probably be far in advance of us. The history of advanced races meeting more primitive people on this planet is not very happy, and they were the same species. I think we should keep our heads low”.
Interview in The New York Times, December 2004 – “Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny”.
“I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first,” he said in an interview with The Guardian in May 2011.