Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can help us on what we shouldn't believe.

It does not follow that the meaning must be given from above; that life and suffering must come neatly labeled; that nothing is worth while if the world is not governed by a purpose.

Man stands alone in the universe, responsible for his condition, likely to remain in a lowly state, but free to reach above the stars.

Writing is thinking in slow motion.

The great artist is the man who most obviously succeeds in turning his pains to advantage, in letting suffering deepen his understanding and sensibility, in growing through his pains.

Words signify man's refusal to accept the world as it is.

Those who believe in God because their experience of life and the facts of nature prove his existence must have led sheltered lives and closed their hearts to the voice of their brothers' blood.

For atheism and polytheism there is no special problem of suffering, nor need there be for every kind of monotheism.

To try to fashion something from suffering, to relish our triumphs, and to endure defeats without resentment: all that is compatible with the faith of a heretic.

Life ceases to be so oppressive: we are free to give our own lives meaning and purpose, free to redeem our suffering by making something of it.

The problem of suffering is: why is there the suffering we know?

Greatness is a zigzag streak of lightning in the brain.

I will have clients rather than people who just give me orders

Listening to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.

I've found that my first drafts are not so special. But the more I work on them, the better they get. They are more unique and defensible.

When you choose to connect with others under stress, you can create resilience.

We sometimes feel that we have been really understood, but it was always long ago, by someone now dead.

I was always making things. I made model airplanes and did a number of hands-on activities. I liked creating in some form or another, not realizing what it was all about.

I come from a generation in England that considered making money or trying to promote yourself to be morally suspect.

I am indeed a hedonistic utilitarian. I have defended hedonistic utilitarianism for quite a while.

Why, thou deboshed fish thou...Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but half a fish and half a monster?