Story Musgrave Quotes

Powerful Story Musgrave for Daily Growth

About Story Musgrave

Story Musgrave, born on September 29, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, was an astronaut, physician, artist, inventor, and educator who embodied the spirit of exploration and intellectual curiosity. Raised by his grandmother after being orphaned at a young age, Musgrave's love for learning was fostered early. He attended Cornell University on a National Science Foundation scholarship, earning degrees in electrical engineering and medicine. Musgrave's life took a turn towards space exploration when he applied to NASA's astronaut corps in 1967. Selected in 1970, he became the first African-American scientist-astronaut. His career spanned four decades, during which he flew on six Space Shuttle missions between 1983 and 2009. Notably, he was part of the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission in 1993, a critical event in space exploration. Musgrave's influences extended beyond his professional life. He was a passionate artist, with works displayed worldwide, including a sculpture at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. His belief in the power of art and science to enrich lives was evident in his dedication to education. He founded the International Space Development Conference and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, organizations that aimed to advance space technology and artificial intelligence. Musgrave's quotes reflect his multifaceted personality and philosophical outlook. Among his famous quotes are: "I am a creature of infinite curiosity, and I am driven to explore," and "Science is a way of life, not just a job." These words encapsulate the essence of a man who, despite facing numerous challenges, remained steadfast in his pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Story Musgrave passed away on January 28, 2019, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Science is a way of life, not just a subject in school."

This quote emphasizes that science isn't merely an academic discipline to be studied within educational institutions, but rather it encompasses a systematic approach to understanding the world, a method of exploration, and a mindset for curiosity and discovery. Science is a lifelong pursuit, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. It's an integral part of our daily lives, guiding decisions, innovations, and overall personal growth.


"I am a very strong believer in the law of cause and effect. You reap what you sow."

This quote by Story Musgrave highlights the concept of karma or retribution, suggesting that our actions (the sowing) have corresponding consequences (the reaping). In simpler terms, it means that our behavior and decisions in life will determine the outcomes we experience. Therefore, being mindful of our choices and actions can help us cultivate desirable results in the future.


"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

This quote emphasizes that there are no shortcuts or hidden tricks to achieving success; it comes as a result of three key elements: diligent preparation, tireless effort, and the wisdom gained from mistakes and failures. In other words, success is earned through dedication, learning, and perseverance.


"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

This quote by Story Musgrave emphasizes that passion for one's work is key to achieving greatness. To produce exceptional results, it is crucial to genuinely care about and enjoy the tasks we undertake. When we love what we do, our enthusiasm fuels creativity, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Therefore, finding purpose in our work can lead us to accomplish remarkable feats and make significant contributions to our field.


"I'm a risk-taker. I've always believed that if you want to do something, and it's within your power, then go for it."

Story Musgrave, an accomplished astronaut and engineer, emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks in this quote. He suggests that if one has a desire to achieve something and possesses the capability, they should seize the opportunity to pursue their goal. This encourages individuals to be proactive in realizing their ambitions, promoting self-empowerment and determination.


Their spirituality was in nature, even though Emerson was a preacher on the pulpit, he ended up going out into nature for direct, face-to-face communication with God, if you want to call all of this creation part of God.

- Story Musgrave

Part, Emerson, Direct, Pulpit

I have a great relationship with animals, and with children. I get to their level. I try to see the way a child looks at the world, it's hugely different.

- Story Musgrave

Great, Level, Hugely, Great Relationship

When you're looking that far out, you're giving people their place in the universe, it touches people. Science is often visual, so it doesn't need translation. It's like poetry, it touches you.

- Story Musgrave

Need, Like, Often, Translation

I've already written 300 space poems. But I look upon my ultimate form as being a poetic prose. When you read it, it appears to be prose, but within the prose you have embedded the techniques of poetry.

- Story Musgrave

Prose, Poetic, Read, Embedded

I'm such a long-term investor, I've never really let go and celebrated what I did with the Hubble telescope.

- Story Musgrave

Go, Really, Hubble, Celebrated

And so, I was not a military test pilot, but as soon as NASA expressed an interest in flying scientists and people who were not military test pilots, that was an epiphany that just came like a stroke of lightning.

- Story Musgrave

Lightning, Pilot, Pilots, Test Pilot

If we ever start communicating with living creatures from other planets, the number one priority is, how are you going to communicate information? Even between different cultures here on Earth, you get into communication problems.

- Story Musgrave

Space, Here, Other, Different Cultures

I think there are huge lessons there, for young people who are getting started in life, as well as other people. And that is, to take responsibility for your own life. Only you are responsible for the course you take from there.

- Story Musgrave

Young, Other, I Think, Lessons

I didn't wish those tragedies upon the people who played them out. It was certainly tragic for them, but not for me. All of those things brought me to where I am. Without those things, I couldn't be who I am, I wouldn't be here.

- Story Musgrave

Here, Certainly, Brought, Tragic

The way you remember the past depends upon your hope for the future. And if what you see in your future has no hope, it has no potential, then you view the past that brought you to here as not very good.

- Story Musgrave

Here, Very, Brought, No Hope

Most of our history in space has been communicated in terms of action - what people do, a chronological list of events which have transpired - as opposed to the human experience of having done those things.

- Story Musgrave

Space, Been, Which, Human Experience

I feel particularly close to them, because I am now out in the universe. I'm in a position to see nature from another point of view, to be outside the earth and see the big picture.

- Story Musgrave

Point Of View, Big, Another, Close

I never read a single book as a child. I did not read as a child. I worked on the farm. I had books in the classroom, but that was it. I never read a single book outside of the classroom.

- Story Musgrave

Book, Had, Read, Farm

Poetry is its own medium; it's very different than writing prose. Poetry can talk in an imagistic sense, it has particular ways of catching an environment.

- Story Musgrave

Prose, Very, Catching, Medium

The statistics of life out there and the statistics of intelligent beings and advanced civilization is a certainty, the way I look at it. that It has not been accepted, because we've been in an anthropocentric era.

- Story Musgrave

Civilization, Been, Advanced, Certainty

I would have taken whatever hand I was dealt. Space was it.

- Story Musgrave

Space, Taken, Would, Dealt

There really isn't a time to pause and have a celebration. I feel so serious about the whole thing.

- Story Musgrave

Celebration, Feel, About, Pause

That I learned even as a three year-old that I see this world that is really a mess and I learned to say, this is not me. I am not the one that is messed up. It is out there.

- Story Musgrave

Say, I See, Learned, Messed Up

It's hard to say what drives a three year-old, but I think I had a sense that nature was my solace, and nature was a place in which there was beauty, in which there was order.

- Story Musgrave

Think, I Think, Which, Drives

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