The primate laugh is given in playful contexts, and as such has a strong similarity to the human laugh.

To endow animals with human emotions has long been a scientific taboo. But if we do not, we risk missing something fundamental, about both animals and us.

The enemy of science is not religion... . The true enemy is the substitution of thought, reflection, and curiosity with dogma.

If we look straight and deep into a chimpanzee's eyes, an intelligent self-assured personality looks back at us. If they are animals, what must we be?

If you ask anyone, what is morality based on? These are the two factors that always come out: One is reciprocity, … a sense of fairness, and the other one is empathy and compassion.

Darwin wasn't just provocative in saying that we descend from the apes - he didn't go far enough. We are apes in every way, from our long arms and tailless bodies to our habits and temperament.

Perhaps it's just me, but I am wary of any persons whose belief system is the only thing standing between them and repulsive behavior.

We are territorial, power-hungry and even more brutal than chimpanzees.

The possibility that empathy resides in parts of the brain so ancient that we share them with rats should give pause to anyone comparing politicians with those poor, underestimated creatures.

We are by far the most contradictory of all primates. An animal with this much internal conflict has never lived on this earth.

Socialism cannot function, because its economic reward structure is contrary to human nature.

Sometimes God pulls us away from normal just long enough to begin something great in us.

Life is a Game of Chess Between Me and God

What do you call the Hrothgar-wrecker when Hrothgar has been wrecked?

A man makes choices, ” Tal said.“True, but what choices a man makes depends on what choices he is offered.

Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.

Narrative stories are nothing but models of karma and causality - how one thing leads to another. And a lot of narrative fiction is about causality that we don't immediately understand.

Every time I hit a shot, I feel like I am shaking hands with the flag stick.

Frankly, I'm tired of the powerful getting away with all kinds of stuff. Hillary [Clinton] didn't win - and, folks, there are ways without an actual prosecution.

It's very difficult to put in the work unless you believe that what you're doing is significant in some way.

Most people are fast to stop you before you get started but hesitate to get in the way if you're moving.