It is only those who hope to transform human beings who end up by burning them, like the waste product of a failed experiment.

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.

The time to build your future is in your teenage years and your 20s, but equally, in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.

What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.

Solitude is fine but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.

It's never too early to think about your legacy, " she would say. "Don't you want to leave some kind of mark that you were here?

suffering breaks us until there’s nothing left but gentleness

It is never very crowded at the front.

If it doesn't work out there will never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.

Acting is kind of a calling for me so I'm just happy to be there and do great work.

[Putin] is a bully. And bullies only understand when we punch them in the nose, but we need to do that economically.

There's no grander sight in the world than that of a person fired with a great purpose, dominated by one unwavering aim.