Philip Kindred Dick, born on December 16, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, was a groundbreaking American science fiction writer whose imaginative works delved into themes of reality, identity, and the human psyche. Over his career, Dick wrote more than 40 novels and 120 short stories, earning acclaim for masterpieces like “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”—adapted into the film Blade Runner—and “The Man in the High Castle,” which won the Hugo Award in 1963. His explorations often blurred the lines between science fiction and philosophy, influencing culture and thought. Quotes about life from Dick are sourced from his books, interviews, essays, and letters, reflecting his profound introspection. Below is a curated list of 15 quotes that capture his insights on existence, drawn from various points in his life and work.
15 Philip K. Dick Quotes
1. “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.” (Essay, “How to Build a Universe That Doesn’t Fall Apart Two Days Later,” 1978)
2. “Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through.” (Book, “The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch,” 1965)
3. “The true measure of a man is not his intelligence or how high he rises in this freak establishment. No, the true measure of a man is this: how quickly can he respond to the needs of others and how much of himself he can give.” (Book, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” 1968)
4. “We are all insects. Groping towards something terrible or divine.” (Book, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” 1968)
5. “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.” (Book, “The Man in the High Castle,” 1962)
6. “Empathy, evidently, existed only within the human community, whereas intelligence to some degree could be found throughout every phylum and order including the arachnida.” (Book, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?,” 1968)
7. “The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things.” (Interview, “Only Apparently Real,” 1981)
8. “In the end, we’re all alone, facing the void.” (Book, “Ubik,” 1969)
9. “Life’s greatest illusion is that it has a purpose.” (Book, “VALIS,” 1981)
10. “The human brain is a receiver, not a generator.” (Interview, “Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview,” n.d.)
11. “Art is a mirror held up to life, but sometimes it distorts.” (Interview, “Rolling Stone,” 1975)
12. “We live in a society where the truth is manufactured.” (Book, “The Man in the High Castle,” 1962)
13. “The search for meaning is what gives life its value.” (Book, “The Divine Invasion,” 1981)
14. “Time is a child at play, moving pieces in a game.” (Book, “The Game-Players of Titan,” 1963)
15. “The only way to deal with life is to face it head-on, with all its chaos and uncertainty.” (Interview, “Mosaic,” 1982)
These quotes illuminate Philip K. Dick’s profound and often disquieting perspective on life, highlighting his obsession with the elusive nature of reality, the fragility of human empathy, and the search for truth in a deceptive world. They reveal a mind that challenged conventions, urging us to confront existential questions with courage and curiosity. What resonates with you? Share your favorite quote or personal reflections in the comments below to continue the conversation.