An individual deficient in the sense of humor represents more of a challenge to our idea of the human than a person of subnormal intelligence

If religious instruction were not allowed until the child had attained the age of reason, we would be living in a quite different world.

Islamophobia: a word created by fascists, and used by cowards, to manipulate morons.

Religion is poison because it asks us to give up our most precious faculty, which is that of reason, and to believe things without evidence. It then asks us to respect this, which it calls faith.

Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence.

Human beings are pattern-seeking animals who will prefer even a bad theory or a conspiracy theory to no theory at all.

I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow-minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open-mindedness.

High moral character is not a precondition for great moral accomplishments.

What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Why do humans exist? A major part of the answer: because Pikaia Gracilens survived the Burgess decimation.

The only real radicalism in our time will come as it always has—from people who insist on thinking for themselves and who reject party-mindedness.

There is something beyond limits, in every relationship.

Aa is for animals, friends, not food. We don't eat our friends. They would find it quite rude!

Psychology of small things rules.

My upbringing involves individuals who helped me along the way. I don't think I would be here today without that support.

I begin by writing paragraphs that don’t have an immediate relation to a plot. The sound of the story comes first.

I lived in Texas for 10 years. There were a lot of people chewing, including my dad.

This quality of self-denial in pursuit of a longer-term goal and, indeed, the willpower to maintain the denial, is excellent training for the boardroom.

Neither fear nor resist change - cultivate it.

It's a morality that keeps humans human.

Let the world see that this nation can bear prosperity; and that her honest virtue in time of peace is equal to her bravest valor in time of war.