I must have been one of the least surprised people on earth on September 11. I felt very braced for that. I knew something like that was going to come.

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.

Looking back really does make you wonder, but the truth is it doesn't change a thing.

Why do we calculate our forces, and consult with flesh and blood to our grievous wounding? Jehovah has power enough without borrowing from our puny arm.

Shakespeare was so ahead of his time that people still don't talk that way.

Characterization is an accident that flows out of action and dialogue.

War is science of destruction.

A man never got a woman back... not by begging on his knees.

I'm a really good dinner party guest. I am always so appreciative, impressed that anyone has even managed to turn on the oven and cook for me.

We don't have a lot of Sikhs in France. We've got some. But we don't really hear much from them or about them. Which is good news.

Listen for the magic word of motivation and you will hear it. And then? Well, the sky is the limit!

There are 309 million people out there that are trying to improve their lot in life. And we've got a system that allows them to do it.