When you fall ill, people send you CDs. Very often, in my experience, these are by Leonard Cohen

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.

If you feel that strongly about something, you have an obligation to try and change my mind.

Warmth, perfume, rugs, soft lights, books. They do not appease me. I am aware of time passing, of all the world contains that I have not seen, of all the interesting people I have not met.

I am aware that success is more than a good idea. It is timing too.

If Satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has.

That old man...had my division massacred at Gettysburg!

A bore is a person who opens his mouth and puts his feats in it.

Nothing is irreparable in politics.

I don't think there's any question that America is safer as a result of the bin Laden operation.

I grew up incredibly poor and went to school and had a very average upbringing.