When we stand beneath the night sky, we stand beneath the history of the whole of creation. It is a miracle that so much of it is perceptible—a miracle we might appreciate more if it had not occurred and we did not have senses to discern it.

—Richard Grossinger

wonder creation awe

About Richard Grossinger

Richard Grossinger (born Richard Towers; 1944) is an American writer and founder of North Atlantic Books in Berkeley, California.

More quotations tagged with “awe”

You are loved. Massively. Ferociously. Unconditionally. The Universe is totally freaking out about how awesome you are. It's got you wrapped in a warm gorilla hug of adoration. It wants to give you everything you desire. It wants you to be happy. It wants you to see what it sees in you.

—Jen Sincero in You Are a Badass

love inspiration awe hugs

In 1941 Sergeant James Allen Ward was awarded the Victoria Cross for climbing out onto the wing of his Wellington bomber at thirteen thousand feet to extinguish a fire in the starboard engine. Secured only by a rope around his waist, he smothered the fire and returned along the wing to the aircraft's cabin. Winston Churchill, an admirer of swashbuckling exploits, summoned the shy New Zealander to 10 Downing Street. Struck dumb with awe in Churchill's presence, Ward was unable to answer the prime minister's questions. Churchill surveyed the unhappy hero with some compassion. "You must feel very humble and awkward in my presence," he said.
"Yes, sir," managed Ward.
"Then you can imagine how humble and awkward I feel in yours," said Churchill.

—The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes

war heroism humility compassion fire awe awkwardness

If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I'll bet they'd live a lot differently.

—Bill Watterson

wonder people awe stars night sky

At the moment you are most in awe of all there is about life that you don't understand, you are closer to understanding it all than at any other time.

understanding life awe

A sense of reverence is necessary for psychological health. If a person has no sense of reverence, no feeling that there is anyone or anything that inspires awe, it cuts the personality off completely from the nourishing springs of the unconscious.

—Robert Johnson

wonder awe personality psychology revernce unconscious

History

30 Oct 2013 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

When we stand beneath the night sky, we stand beneath the history of the whole of creation. It is a miracle that so much of it is perceptible — a miracle we might appreciate more if it had not occurred and we did not have senses to discern it.