The Christian idea of a perfect heaven that is something other than a non-existence is a contradiction in terms.

Higher education is not necessarily a guarantee of higher virtue.

Chaos and ineptitude are anti-human; but so too is a superlatively efficient government, equipped with all the products of a highly developed technology.

My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.

I'm afraid of losing my obscurity. Genuineness only thrives in the dark. Like celery.

Man is unique in organizing the mass murder of his own species.

Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand.