Philip K. Dick Quotes

Powerful Philip K. Dick for Daily Growth

About Philip K. Dick

**Philip Kindred Dick (1928-1982): Visionary Science Fiction Author** Born on December 16, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Philip K. Dick would go on to become one of the most influential science fiction authors of the 20th century. His unconventional life and profound works continue to captivate readers worldwide. Raised in a conservative Christian household, Dick's fascination with philosophy, religion, and metaphysics began at an early age. In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S Army and served until 1950. The experiences during his military service would later influence his writings, particularly his exploration of reality and identity. After leaving the army, Dick studied philosophy at California Baptist College (now California Baptist University) and later San Francisco State College. However, he left before graduating to focus on writing full-time. His first professional sale was "Beyond Lies the Wub" in 1952, followed by his first novel, "Solar Lottery," in 1954. Dick gained prominence with his short story "The Minority Report," which served as the basis for Steven Spielberg's film of the same name. His most notable works include "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (later adapted into Ridley Scott's Blade Runner), "Time Out of Joint," "Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said," and "Valis." Dick's life was marked by intense bouts of paranoia and hallucinations. He claimed to receive visions, which he believed were messages from a cosmic entity known as VALIS (Vast Active Living Intelligence System). These experiences significantly influenced his later works. Despite battling mental illness and financial struggles, Dick's contributions to science fiction are undeniable. His thought-provoking narratives continue to resonate with readers, offering insightful commentary on the human condition, reality, and technology. Philip K. Dick passed away on March 2, 1982, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate generations of readers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

This quote emphasizes that reality exists independently of our beliefs or perceptions about it. Even if we choose to disbelieve in something that is real, its existence persists. It encourages a recognition of the objective world and the importance of seeking truth rather than relying solely on personal interpretations or subjective experiences.


"How real things really are; not their virtual representation or their likeness, but how real. The real is that which, if not present, is greatly missed."

This quote by Philip K. Dick underscores the profound importance of authenticity and the tangible experience in our lives. He suggests that the true value lies in the actual, original thing, rather than its representation or imitation. In essence, he emphasizes the significance of direct, personal interaction with reality, as it is this engagement that we deeply yearn for when it is absent.


"The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion."

This quote highlights a concern that our perceived freedoms, particularly in capitalist societies, may be illusory if they serve the interests of those who profit from maintaining the status quo. The idea is that while we may think we are free to choose, our choices might be limited or manipulated by economic systems and powerful entities for their own gain. It encourages us to critically evaluate the nature of our freedom and consider ways to ensure genuine autonomy and equality.


"The truth exists, whether recognized or not."

This quote by Philip K. Dick suggests that objective reality and truth exist independently of human perception or acknowledgment. In other words, what is true in the universe remains so regardless of whether we as individuals or society understand it or not. It implies a sense of objectivity and immutability in truth, reinforcing the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding.


"To such an individual all the myriad-minded gods of all the cultures are one."

This quote by Philip K. Dick suggests a belief in the fundamental unity of consciousness or divinity across different cultures and their deities. He is implying that beneath the diverse representations of gods in various cultures, there exists a singular, universal intelligence or essence. This perspective invites empathy, understanding, and respect for all cultures and beliefs as they are connected through this shared 'god'.


We live in a society in which spurious realities are manufactured by the media, by governments, by big corporations, by religious groups, political groups. I ask, in my writing, 'What is real?' Because unceasingly we are bombarded with pseudo realities manufactured by very sophisticated people using very sophisticated electronic mechanisms.

- Philip K. Dick

Big, Religious, Very, Sophisticated

We are living in a computer-programmed reality, and the only clue we have to it is when some variable is changed, and some alteration in reality occurs. We have the overwhelming impression that we were reliving the present - deja vu.

- Philip K. Dick

Living, Some, Occurs, Clue

I used to dig in the garden, and there isn't anything fantastic or ultradimensional about crab grass... unless you are a SF writer, in which case, pretty soon you're viewing crabgrass with suspicion. What are its real motives? And who sent it in the first place? The question I always found myself asking was, 'What is it, really?'

- Philip K. Dick

Asking, Dig, About, Fantastic

Reality, by itself, becomes a story by Philip K. Dick.

- Philip K. Dick

Reality, Itself, Becomes, Philip

I want to write about people I love, and put them into a fictional world spun out of my own mind, not the world we actually have, because the world we actually have does not meet my standards.

- Philip K. Dick

Love, Mind, Spun, Fictional

I am a fictionalizing philosopher, not a novelist.

- Philip K. Dick

I Am, Philosopher, Am, Novelist

Strange how paranoia can link up with reality now and then.

- Philip K. Dick

Now, How, Link, Now And Then

Drug misuse is not a disease, it is a decision, like the decision to step out in front of a moving car. You would call that not a disease but an error of judgment.

- Philip K. Dick

Decision, Disease, Like, Misuse

I dreamed: I am the fish whose flesh is eaten, and because I am fat, it is good.

- Philip K. Dick

I Am, Fish, Dreamed, Eaten

Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything. We can't talk about science, because our knowledge of it is limited and unofficial, and usually our fiction is dreadful.

- Philip K. Dick

Fiction, Fiction Writers, Dreadful

The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.

- Philip K. Dick

Communication, Words, Use, Meaning Of

In 1955, when I'd write a science-fiction novel, I'd set it in the year 2000. I realised around 1977 that, 'My God, it's getting exactly like those novels we used to write in the 1950s!' Everything's just turning out to be real.

- Philip K. Dick

Year, Used, Around, Science-Fiction

I saw a segment of Douglas Trumbull's special effects for 'Blade Runner' on the KNBC-TV news. I recognized it immediately. It was my own interior world. They caught it perfectly.

- Philip K. Dick

News, Caught, Perfectly, Segment

When I believe, I am crazy. When I don't believe, I suffer psychotic depression.

- Philip K. Dick

I Am, Crazy, Suffer, Psychotic

This, to me, is the ultimately heroic trait of ordinary people; they say no to the tyrant and they calmly take the consequences of this resistance.

- Philip K. Dick

Say, Heroic, Ordinary People, Trait

I am one of the elect, one of the few in the know, in the gnosis.

- Philip K. Dick

I Am, Know, Few, Elect

Comprehension follows perception.

- Philip K. Dick

Follows, Comprehension, Perception

I don't write beautifully - I just write reports about our condition.

- Philip K. Dick

Condition, About, Reports, Beautifully

The ultimate problem confronting me all my life has been the senseless injury to and neglect of my sister.

- Philip K. Dick

My Life, Been, Ultimate, All My Life

The two basic topics which fascinate me are 'What is reality?' and 'What constitutes the authentic human being?'

- Philip K. Dick

Human Being, Which, Topics, Basic

It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane.

- Philip K. Dick

Sometimes, Go, Appropriate, Response

The trouble with being educated is that it takes a long time; it uses up the better part of your life and when you are finished what you know is that you would have benefited more by going into banking.

- Philip K. Dick

More, Going, Part, Uses

The universe is information and we are stationary in it, not three dimensional and not in space or time.

- Philip K. Dick

Time, Information, Universe, Stationary

I am basically analytical, not creative; my writing is simply a creative way of handling analysis.

- Philip K. Dick

I Am, Writing, Analytical, Handling

Don't try to solve serious matters in the middle of the night.

- Philip K. Dick

Night, Matters, Middle, Solve

The core of my writing is not art but truth.

- Philip K. Dick

Truth, Art, Writing, Core

The Martians are always coming.

- Philip K. Dick

Always, Coming, Martian

Movies like 'Westworld' used ideas I'd thought of a long time ago.

- Philip K. Dick

Thought, Movies, Like, Long Time

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.

- Philip K. Dick

Away, Go Away, Which, Reality

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