How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph) Note that chapters aren't numbered, so need to be numbered manually, 1 to 14.
Quote #1
I had missed the precious moment when the planet first came into view. (1.15)
Kelvin launches himself into space on an exciting expedition and misses the big moment. The first small anti-climax of the novel. If you missed it when you read, though, worry not—there'll be plenty of others.
Quote #2
A narrow looking-glass, built into the locker door, reflected part of the room, and out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of something moving. I jumped, but it was only my own reflection. (2.4)
The alien thing turns out to just be Kelvin, after all. This is a kind of summary of the whole novel: Kelvin thinks he sees something new and different and ocean-brain shaped, but then it's only him (or his memory of his dead wife). It's hard to explore when your head keeps getting in the way.
Quote #3
[…] they bowed to the unknown, proclaiming the ancient doctrine, arrogantly resurrected, of ignoramus et ignorabimus. (2.36)
Ignoramus et ignorabimus means "we do not know and will not know." Are there limits to human understanding and exploration? Or can we learn everything if we just keep looking? Does exploration lead to knowledge, or just to giant oozing colloids laughing at you?
Quote #4
"We think of ourselves as the Knights of the Holy Contact. This is another lie. We are only seeking Man. We have no need of other worlds. We need mirrors. We don't know what to do with other worlds." (6.90)
Snow is saying here that not only can't human beings ever find anything in the universe but themselves, but they don't want to. Exploration isn't a quest for knowledge; it's a quest for the chance to stare at your own toes wiggling. If you ever find something really alien, you'll be confused and frightened; if you explore, it's to find yourself.
Quote #5
The human mind is only capable of absorbing a few things at a time. We see what is taking place in front of us in the here and now, and cannot envisage simultaneously a succession of processes, no matter how integrated and complementary. (8.75)
Exploration is limited by the explorer. The universe is one giant Jack Nicholson shouting, "You can't handle the truth!"
Quote #6
"You don't love her. You do love her. She is willing to give her life. So are you. It's touching, it's magnificent, anything you like, but it's out of place here—it's the wrong setting." (10.96)
Snow is arguing that in space, the rules of morality have broken down; love has no meaning. Out here on the borders of civilization, new rules apply, tough rules, explorers' rules. It's not clear if we're supposed to believe Snow or not, though. Is he right that social rules have broken down? Or is Lem making fun of violent sci-fi stories where the heroes murder and generally act un-heroically and it's okay because they're explorers?
Quote #7
"Man has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed." (10.123)
Or, in other words, screw your head on right before you go out to Mars.
Quote #8
"Earth is a common type—the grass of the universe! And we pride ourselves on this universality. There's nowhere we can't go; in that belief we set out for other worlds, all brimming with confidence. And what were we going to do with them? Rule them or be ruled by them: that was the only idea in our pathetic minds." (11.10)
Kelvin is saying that humans explore only to conquer or be conquered; it's all about control, not about actually finding anything new. Exploration is about imperialism, not curiosity.
Quote #9
Over the years, Contact has become sanctified. It has become the heaven of eternity. (11.68)
The dream of alien contact is directly compared to the dream of heaven. But guess what? God isn't any easier to understand just because he's a big ocean brain.
Quote #10
"Contact? Still Contact? Haven't you had enough of this madhouse? What more do you need? No, it's out of the question. Count me out!"
"Why not," he asked quietly. "You yourself instinctively treat it like a human being, now more than ever. You hate it." (13.67-68)
Snow's reasoning here seems kind of off. After all, we hate the couch we always stub our toes on, but that doesn't make the couch a sentient being. Kelvin seems to have the right idea, though: Enough of these ocean-brains and couches leaping out to stub your toe willy-nilly. Snow can stay there rummaging in the couch cushions if he wants, but Shmoop is going home.