The two things he most valued, which is to say liberty and equality, were not natural allies.

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.

There's enchantment in a smile, did you know?Shall I prove in a wink that it is so?Watch my mouth grin wide and see, How quick your lips smile back at me!

We must be free or die who speak the tongue That Shakespeare spake the faith and morals hold Which Milton held.

I remember reading Disturbia, one of the first scripts I ever got, and I go "Pfft, who wants to make a movie about a guy in a house?"

Let us not overstrain our talents, lest we do nothing gracefully.

There's a cancer on the presidency.

Our torments also may in length of time Become our Elements.

Of course, it has never paid much.

Everything that makes more of you than you have ever been, even in your best hours, is right. Every intensification is good.

The only thing I miss from the sitcom format is that immediate gratification of when you're, if we're talking about comedy, of the live audience.

I didn't trot my pain out to show around. I kept it better hidden than anyone. I did.