" Science is constantly proved all the time. If we take something like any fiction, any holy book, and destroyed it, in a thousand years’ time, that wouldn’t come back just as it was. Whereas if we took every science book and every fact and destroyed them all, in a thousand years they’d all be back because all the same tests would be the same result. "
- Ricky Gervais

In simple terms, the quote suggests that scientific knowledge, unlike religious or fictional texts, can be independently verified through experiments and observations. This means that even if all existing scientific literature were lost, people could rediscover these truths through repeated testing and research over time. The core idea is that science relies on objective evidence rather than subjective beliefs.

On a deeper level, the quote highlights the fundamental difference between empirical knowledge and belief systems based on faith or tradition. Science advances because it builds upon verified facts and theories that can be tested repeatedly under controlled conditions to ensure their validity. In contrast, texts such as religious holy books are not subject to such rigorous scrutiny; they remain preserved through cultural transmission without needing proof in the scientific sense. This distinction underscores the reliability of science as a method for understanding the natural world.

The quote is attributed to Ricky Gervais, an acclaimed British comedian and actor known for his sharp wit and often provocative commentary on religion and skepticism. Gervais frequently discusses the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning, themes that resonate in this statement about the enduring nature of scientific knowledge.