Book Notes/The Three-Body Problem

The Three-Body Problem

by Cixin Liu

"The Three-Body Problem" by Cixin Liu follows a secret military project that contacts an alien civilization during China’s Cultural Revolution. As humanity grapples with the implications of this contact, a virtual reality game reveals the challenges of understanding the alien world and the impending threat it poses to Earth. The novel explores themes of science, philosophy, and the consequences of first contact.

10 curated highlights from this book

Key Insights & Memorable Quotes

Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Three-Body Problem, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.

The universe is a dark forest.
Every civilization is a potential threat.
You cannot understand the universe without understanding the mind.
The only way to survive is to be the first to pull the trigger.
In the face of the unknown, humanity’s true nature is revealed.
Science is a way of thinking more than it is a body of knowledge.
Hope is a double-edged sword.
The truth is like a sword; it can cut both ways.
Civilizations are like children; they need nurturing but can turn destructive.
In the cosmic ocean, we are but a drop.