Moral claims aren't, as a class, truth-value apt or not.

The Epicureans denied that the gods had created the world and also denied that they played any role in it.

The higher the coefficient of inequality (Gini coefficient) in a society, the worse things tend to be for those at the bottom.

I have to say that some philosophers such as the late Bernard Williams, and I would include myself in this group, would say that tranquillity is overrated as the goal of life.

We have to gamble, and sometimes lose as George Ainslie argues; this keeps the appetite for life sharp.

'Contract' succeeded 'status' as the basic organising principle in modern political vs. ancient society.

Atomism had no absolute 'above' and 'below' and no such rulers, so favoured the undersranding of justice as an agreement amongst equals.

Epicurus thought of justice as an agreement to prevent people harming and being harmed.

Epicurus was not at all interested in what we would call the problems of mass society, and he thought civic politics was just trouble and to be avoided by the wise.

Claims like 'Slavery is wrong' are not fully common-sensical, so they must be at least partly theoretical.

The (atomic) soul is mortal, and the best life is the one with the least pain and the most pleasure.

I gave up something I wanted for something I need. And I need you, Angel.

You must long for God more than normal. You must be willing to live to give, not live to gain.

People need meaning as much as they need air. Lucky for us, we can give meaning to each other for free. Just by being alive.

Atheism is an effect of that knowledge [a poll showed atheists knew more about religion than anyone else], not a lack of knowledge. I gave a bible to my daughter. That is how you make atheists.

Writing is my number one passion. I've written two novels. I've written a screenplay. I also write short stories and poetry.

Real love is a cosmic force which goes through us. If we crystallize it, it becomes the greatest power in the world.

When you were on stage, you could be absolutely open about your emotions and indulge them and express yourself in a way that - in real life - I wasn't doing.

There is a hunger in you. A fearlessness. You just buried it, like most people do.

You can be a hero to someone just by being their friend.

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.