Wikiquote’s sourced entry gives this exact sentence and points to 2011 media appearances. WIST identifies Real Time with Bill Maher on February 4, 2011. Those are specific secondary source references, but the original episode has not been independently inspected here; the precise first utterance remains unconfirmed.
“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it” Neil deGrasse Tyson, attributed to Real Time with Bill Maher, February 4, 2011; original episode not independently inspected.
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Evoking the world of Neil deGrasse Tyson — American astrophysicist. Theme: "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.
Wikiquote’s sourced entry gives this exact sentence and points to 2011 media appearances. WIST identifies Real Time with Bill Maher on February 4, 2011. Those are specific secondary source references, but the original episode has not been independently inspected here; the precise first utterance remains unconfirmed. Wikiquote sourced quotation ↗
The cited occasion is a 2011 television appearance. The short sentence is used for attribution research; no public-domain status is asserted.
Rights status is our research, not legal advice — and copyright varies by country and edition. For commercial or published use, confirm with the rightsholder. See terms.
Context
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The maxim contrasts scientific claims with a person’s willingness to accept them. Contemporary interviews show Tyson working to communicate science to a broad audience through television and public discussion. The broadcast citation offers a research lead, but this check does not convert it into a reviewed episode transcript. Wikiquote sourced quotation ↗
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Tyson directs the Hayden Planetarium in New York and writes for nonspecialist audiences. His public science work includes NOVA ScienceNow, Cosmos and StarTalk.
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Neil deGrasse Tyson. Attribution discussed in Wikiquote sourced quotation. Source and limits described above.
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Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/the-good-thing-about-science-is-that-its-true-whether-or/