I learned that to be amusing was not to be frivolous and that language - always the language - was the magic key as much to prose as to poetry.

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.

If it is not right do not do it

I'm just learning who I am and how relationships work and how to make them function. No different from anyone else.

The world you see is less of an indication about the world and more of an indication about your seeing.

Dogs are a gift to mankind. They are happy and joyful and loyal by nature. They are pure, positive energy and teach by example. That is all that's required of them.

Still the race of hero spirits pass the lamp from hand to hand.

Some slaves are scoured to their work by whips, others by their restlessness and ambition.

I want to invest in research. Research is great. Providing funding to universities and think tanks is great. But investing in companies? Absolutely not.

I think if you don't love people and aren't fascinated by them, you'll never succeed as a portrait photographer, because your pictures will look cold.

Only an indirect method is effective. We do nothing if we have not first drawn back.

Every man gets an opportunity once in a lifetime.