Jack McDevitt Quotes

Secrecy is a compulsive reflex in this country. It strangles thought, delays scientific progress, and destroys integrity.

Jack McDevitt

• Country
• Progress
• Integrity

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Quotes to Explore

• I just can't get used to the idea of being somebody unreal in people's minds. I can't live my life like that. And it's just anathema to being a writer. It's not healthy.

  

  Zadie Smith
  • People
  • Life
  • Live

• By 2022, China is expected to cede the dubious distinction of being the world's most populous nation to India, according to the population division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

  

  Barbara Demick
  • World
  • India
  • China

• I am now in a position to choose roles. I did not have so many offers before 'Queen,' but now things have changed a lot.

  

  Kangana Ranaut
  • Position
  • Roles
  • Queen

• The essence of a general's job is to assist in developing a clear sense of purpose to keep the junk from getting in the way of important things.

  

  Walter F. Ulmer
  • Important
  • Job
  • Purpose

• I never was a very good singer.

  

  Jackson Browne
  • Good
  • Never
  • Singer

• For me, 'Moby-Dick' is more than the greatest American novel ever written; it is a metaphysical survival manual - the best guidebook there is for a literate man or woman facing an impenetrable unknown: the future of civilization in this storm-tossed 21st century.

  

  Nathaniel Philbrick
  • American
  • Future
  • Man

• Love and understand the Italians, for the people are more marvellous than the land.

  

  E. M. Forster
  • People
  • Love
  • Land

• I always assumed I would leave drama school and do 'Lady Macbeth' and all sorts of serious things. It just didn't happen.

  

  Olivia Colman
  • School
  • Serious
  • Drama

• Sometimes, I get afraid it has defined me, that sense of grief, loss and illness. But actually, it is about allowing myself to take hold and say: 'This is part of who I am, but not only who I am.'

  

  Sam Taylor-Wood
  • Myself
  • Grief
  • Loss

• Theology made no provision for evolution. The biblical authors had missed the most important revelation of all! Could it be that they were not really privy to the thoughts of God?

  

  E. O. Wilson
  • God
  • Important
  • Thoughts

• Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they find?

  

  Samuel Johnson
  • Children
  • Happy
  • Be Happy

• The trouble with the artists this year is they are all obsessed with Twitter and headlines. It feels like they are all getting a bit above themselves.

  

  Gary Barlow Take That
  • Trouble
  • Year
  • Artists

• For me, rockabilly is very, very exciting music. It's electric and kind of wild, you know? It's 'make your hairs stand up on the back of your neck' kind of music.

  

  Imelda May
  • Up
  • Music
  • Stand

• I didn't know box office was a thing you could possess but I don't have it. I go up for lovely roles and people with this nebulous thing called box office get them so there isn't much I can do about that unless you know where I can get some box-office myself!

  

  Olivia Williams
  • People
  • Up
  • Myself

• Religion has caused more misery to all of mankind in every stage of human history than any other single idea.

  

  Madalyn Murray O'Hair
  • History
  • Single
  • Religion

• Music is my balance... center of my life.

  

  Mandy Patinkin
  • Life
  • Music
  • Balance

• Dried porcini add a substantial, deep flavour to otherwise more neutral vegetables. I use them in risottos, mashed roots and winter soups.

  

  Yotam Ottolenghi
  • Deep
  • Winter
  • Roots

• In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.

  

  Lao Tzu
  • Life
  • Work
  • Thinking

• Well, I'm a Christian. I was a born a Presbyterian and became an Episcopalian.

  

  Karl Rove
  • Christian
  • Born
  • Well

• In a funny way, nothing makes you feel more like a native of your own country than to live where nearly everyone is not.

  

  Bill Bryson
  • Live
  • Country
  • Funny

• This country owes them all a debt of gratitude. The down payment on that debt is making sure that we live up to Lincoln's charge: to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.

  

  Dave Obey
  • Up
  • Live
  • Country

• I have visited many countries, and have been in cities without number, yet never did I enter a town which could not produce ten or twelve little great men; all fancying themselves known to the rest of the world, and complimenting each other upon their extensive reputation.

  

  Oliver Goldsmith
  • World
  • Great
  • Men

• It's extremely important for people to be informed and to be educated and to know what's going in their community and in their country, but every now and then you just kind of want to turn the brain off for a little bit and just laugh and be silly.

  

  Brad Williams
  • Country
  • Community
  • Laugh

• Secrecy is a compulsive reflex in this country. It strangles thought, delays scientific progress, and destroys integrity.

  

  Jack McDevitt
  • Country
  • Progress
  • Integrity