If we justify war, it is because all peoples always justify the traits of which they find themselves possessed, not because war will bear an objective examination of its merits

The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.

I long to speak out the intense inspiration that comes to me from the lives of strong women.

No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. He sees it edited by a definite set of customs and institutions and ways of thinking.

The happiest excitement in life is to be convinced that one is fighting for all one is worth on behalf of some clearly seen and deeply felt good, and against some greatly scorned evil.

A man's indebtedness is not virtue; his repayment is. Virtue begins when he dedicates himself actively to the job of gratitude.

Racism remains in the eyes of history ... merely another instance of the persecution of minorities for the advantage of those in power.

The trouble with life isn't that there is no answer, it's that there are so many answers.

Our faith in the present dies out long before our faith in the future.

The trouble is not that we are never happy-it is that happiness is so episodical.

liberty is the one thing no man can have unless he grants it to others.

its badness is so potent that it seems to undermine the very idea of literature, to expose the whole endeavour of making art out of language as essentially and irredeemably fraudulent

Heaven is the most angelically dull place in all creation

There is no place in a fanatic's head where reason can enter.

My life choices are not supposed to be the gateway to somebody else's. That's my journey.

I do not want to believe in God. Therefore I choose to believe in that which I know is scientifically impossible, spontaneous generation leading to evolution.

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

I never write jokes, I just try to make myself laugh.

I don't laugh at people any more when they say they've seen UFOs. I've seen one myself!

Have I done what is really important today?

There's husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out.