---
title: "10 Best Quotes From Neil deGrasse Tyson"
description: "“For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson After seeing the stars during a visit to Pennsylvania, Neil deGrasse Tyson became entranced with astronomy. He was just..."
date: "2014-07-12"
modified: "2016-11-30"
authors:
  - name: "Jolene Creighton"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jolene-creighton"
url: "https://futurism.com/10-best-quotes-from-neil-degrasse-tyson"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# 10 Best Quotes From Neil deGrasse Tyson

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/neil-degrasse-tyson.png>)

“For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson

After seeing the stars during a visit to Pennsylvania, [Neil deGrasse Tyson](<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IWULSTC/ref=as_li_tl?tag=futurism0b-20&ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IWULSTC&linkCode=as2&linkId=MU3TT6PIU2APP4BT>) became entranced with astronomy. He was just nine years old. Ultimately, this event set him on course for becoming one of the world's most renowned astronomers.

He continued to study the stars throughout his teens. He even earned slight fame in the astronomy community by giving lectures on the subject when he was just fifteen. Unfortunately for Carl Sagan, who wished to recruit Tyson to study at Cornell University, Tyson decided instead to attend Harvard University, where he eventually earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in physics in 1980.

Three years later, In 1983, he went on to receive his ‘Master of Arts’ degree in astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin. In the following years, while under the supervision of Professor Michael Rich at Columbia University, he received both a Master and Doctor of Philosophy degree in astrophysics.

In recent years, he has become an educator in the truest sense of the word. He works to increase scientific literacy to create a more informed public, and through this endeavor, he has inspired a generation. Find some of his most notable quotes below (did we miss your favorite? Be sure to post it in the comments).

# 1) On Teachers and Educators

[![Quote via Reddit AMA Image via Penny 4NASA](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-deGrasse-Tyson-quote-science.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-deGrasse-Tyson-quote-science.jpg>)
*Quote via Reddit AMA Image via Penny 4NASA*

# 2) On Grades and Our Value System

[![Quote and image via Twitter.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-deGresse-tyson-knowledge.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-deGresse-tyson-knowledge.jpg>)
*Quote and image via Twitter.*

# 3) Why Science is Amazing

[![Quote via Bill Maher show. Image via WikiMedia](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-degrasse-tyson-quote.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-degrasse-tyson-quote.jpg>)
*Quote via Bill Maher show. Image via WikiMedia*

# 4) On Human's Control of Earth

[![Quote via Reddit AMA. Image via izquotes](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/degrasse-tyson-science-quote.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/degrasse-tyson-science-quote.jpg>)
*Quote via Reddit AMA. Image via izquotes*

# 5) On Life, the Universe, and Everything

[![Quote via radio broadcast. ](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/most-astounding-fact-tyson.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/most-astounding-fact-tyson.jpg>)
*Quote via radio broadcast.*

# 6) Tyson's Life Philosophy

[![Quote via Reddit AMA. Image source MIA (send us a message if you know the artist)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tyson-i-am-driven-by.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tyson-i-am-driven-by.jpg>)
*Quote via Reddit AMA. Image source MIA (send us a message if you know the artist)*

# 7) Our Relationship to the Universe & Spirituality

[![Quote via radio broadcast. Image via QuantumRevolution](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-degrasse-tyson-universe-1024x640.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/neil-degrasse-tyson-universe.jpg>)
*Quote via radio broadcast. Image via QuantumRevolution*

# 8) On Science and Interconnections and History

[![Quote and image via COSMOS](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tyson-space.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tyson-space.jpg>)
*Quote and image via COSMOS*

# 9) On "Badassitude"

[![Quote via Twitter. Image via WikiMedia](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/badassitude.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/badassitude.jpg>)
*Quote via Twitter. Image via WikiMedia \[pinterestshare\]*

# 10) The Most Interesting Fact

[![Quote via](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tyson-science-quote.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/tyson-science-quote.jpg>)
*Quote via Washington Post. Image source MIA*

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/jolene.creighton>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolenecreighton>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/sciencejolene>)