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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/6178
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/6178
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

 **No, it would not be appropriate.**

It's quite possible that nobody would check you up on this, but quote attributions are expected to be, you know, correct. Mis-attributing a quote might be an honest error, but it's more likely to be a case of insufficient research, or even intentionally lending weight to your work by leaning on an existing respected personality (for example, [like so](http://www.likecaptions.com/2011/11/abraham-lincoln-on-the-internet/)).

In the example you've given, this is very evident: if I Google the quote, I get a _lot_ of hits for an identical quote from a character on 90's SF TV show _Babylon 5_. You really don't want anybody even considering that maybe you stole a _Babylon 5_ quote and said it was from Carl Sagan. My Googling also reveals references to Carl Sagan (unsubstantiated) and Charles R. Pellegrino (_Ghosts of Vesuvius_) - look at [this discussion of the same quote](http://www.quotationspage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10245).

If your paper is not going to be held to rigorous expectations of research and formality, you might write that the quote is "often attributed to" Carl Sagan. Alternatively, choose one of the similar quotes whose source you _are_ certain of. (Quoting from _Babylon 5_ is perfectly fine, as long as it's properly attributed!)

Bottom line: **don't attribute unless you're certain.** If you're not certain, then either say so, or find a different quote.

Original score: 9