Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.

Stephen Hawking used this line as part of a short, motivational message he often delivered in public talks and interviews, drawing on his experience as a cosmologist and as someone living with severe physical disability. The phrasing aligns with his recurring theme of urging audiences—especially students and young scientists—to keep intellectual curiosity and long-term perspective, rather than becoming consumed by immediate obstacles. It is commonly circulated as a standalone aphorism, but it is best understood as coming from Hawking’s broader habit of closing remarks that encouraged wonder about the universe and perseverance in the face of hardship.

Hawking contrasts two orientations: looking down at one’s feet suggests fixation on immediate troubles, limitations, or the mundane; looking up at the stars evokes curiosity, perspective, and aspiration. The quote encourages intellectual and emotional “lift”—to attend to larger questions and possibilities, especially those that inspire learning and discovery. In Hawking’s case, the metaphor also aligns with his scientific vocation: cosmology literally asks us to look outward and upward, beyond the self. The statement’s significance lies in its blend of practical resilience (don’t be trapped by setbacks) and humanistic wonder (keep seeking meaning in the vastness of the universe).

1) “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see…”
2) “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”