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

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

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 think we do have a better understanding now of how moral thought and discourse function.

Getting married is like trading in the adoration of many for the sarcasm of one.

Man for all his genius is but an echo of the original Voice, a reflection of the uncreated Light.

Thoughts there are, not to be translated into any language, and spirits alone can read them.

I want to be anywhere in the world that I'm needed. I want to spread a message of peace and love throughout the world.

Often a purple patch or two is tacked on to a serious work of high promise, to give an effect of colour.

A man who never trusts himself never trusts anyone.

Someone watches over us when we write. Mother. Teacher. Shakespeare. God.

Mighty rivers can easily be leaped at their source.

The overwhelming majority of people are comfortable with consensus, but successful investors tend to have a contrarian bent.

It is not so much what we know that is important, as what we are and what we do.