Lewis Thomas

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Statistically, the probability of any one of us being here is so small that the mere fact of our existence should keep us all in a state of contented dazzlement

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We are, perhaps uniquely among the earth’s creatures, the worrying animal. We worry away our lives, fearing the future, discontent with the present, unable to take the idea of dying, unable to sit still

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It is in our genes to understand the universe if we can, to keep trying even if we cannot, and to be enchanted by the act of learning all the way

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Animals have genes for altruism, and those genes have been selected in the evolution of many creatures because of the advantage they confer for the continuing survival of the species

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All of today's DNA, strung through all the cells of the earth, is simply an extension and elaboration of [the] first molecule