Thanks to the telescope and the microscope, religion no longer offers an explanation for anything important.

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.

You have to fight great battles to guard your mind, extraordinary battles to protect your heart, and remarkable battles to defend your soul.

Your personal dignity was always more important to you than mere emotion, wasn't it?

As you grow wiser, so does your personality.

The first step in solving a problem is recognizing there is one

After the first few readings in comedy venues I did begin to write for laughs. There's something so gratifying about stimulating laughter.

Truly I have looked in the very heart of darkness and refused to yield to its paralyzing influence, but in spirit I am one of those who walk the morning.

You've got to learn to handle the press because god knows the government does all the time.

A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.

I won't consider getting horizontal with someone I can barely tolerate when we're vertical.

You will not find the treasure of your Personal Legend unless you want to live that Legend.