The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way.

The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.

An Honest politician will not be tolerated by a democracy unless he is very stupid ... because only a very stupid man can honestly share the prejudices of more than half the nation.

If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have a paradise in a few years.

We have in fact, two kinds of morality, side by side: one which we preach, but do not practice, and another which we practice, but seldom preach.

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.

Cruel men believe in a cruel god and use their belief to excuse their cruelty. Only kindly men believe in a kindly god, and they would be kindly in any case.

War is an episode, a crisis, a fever the purpose of which is to rid the body of fever. So the purpose of a war is to end the war.

Utopia exists only in one's childhood life.

It is difficult to be ambitious without also being envious.

No mind is much employed upon the present recollection and anticipation fill up almost all our moments.

It's a joy to be recognized and to have people that are interested in what you do. That can pick up your whole day.

Ideas do not exist separately from language.

I ought to file charges of uncommon stupidity against you for letting her try this alone." ~ Newt, Black Magic Sanction, Kim Harrison

If you want to get attacked, have an opinion.

I believe actual violence scars children much more than violence in storybooks.

To the mean eye all things are trivial, as certainly as to the jaundiced they are yellow.