One of the most repellent spectacles at election times is the pretense of piety on the part of people running for office.

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.

Don't be so busy missing people who left that you miss the people that are standing right in front of you.

Ignorance breeds antipathy. Until I got to know how computers worked, I didn't want anything to do with them. I said, 'Well, why do I need them? I write letters.' Which I still do.

The writer's secret is not inspiration - for it is never clear where it comes from - it is his stubbornness, his patience.

The press lost credibility with Republicans and independents during the Obama years, setting itself up for the damage that's going to be done during the Trump years.

Afghanistan has moved forward and Afghanistan will defend itself. And the progress that we have achieved, the Afghan people will not allow it to be put back or reversed.

Don't think I'm not incoheret.

I really love fan art, which I get sent a lot of. I really, really get a lot of. I get a kick out of it.

I could serve coffee using my rear as a ledge.

The first lessons with which we should irrigate his mind should be those which teach him to know himself, and to know how to die ... and to live.

Anything you dream is fiction, and anything you accomplish is science, the whole history of mankind is nothing but science fiction.