When extraordinary power and extraordinary pay are allotted to any individual in a government, he becomes the center, round which every kind of corruption generates and forms.

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.

He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

[A]ll churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, are simply human inventions. They use fear to enslave us. They are a monopoly for power and profit.

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

Religion is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

I just do the best I can and write something interesting, to tell stories in an interesting way and move forward from there.

Loneliness is not cured by human company. Loneliness is cured by contact with reality.

Silence is not always a sign of wisdom, but babbling is ever a mark of folly.

Being married means I can break wind and eat ice cream in bed.

I have one of the great temperaments.

You may forget with whom you laughed, but you will never forget with whom you wept.

I love great locations in movies, and I couldn't believe I'd never seen a landfill on screen before. It was the most haunting place.

Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.

I always loved rock guitar. I just never put it together that that's what I'd end up doing.