We have no proof that Socrates ever existed. We only know from witnesses to his life that he did. Like Jesus, he never wrote anything down. It doesn't matter to me whether he did or not exist because we have his teachings, his method of thinking, and his extreme intellectual and moral courage.

High moral character is not a precondition for great moral accomplishments.

I don't have any terrific self-esteem issues but I do sometimes realise I've been too lucky and that I'm over-praised. It makes me nervous. I have this sense of being overrated.

For a lot of people, their first love is what they'll always remember. For me it's always been the first hate, and I think that hatred, though it provides often rather junky energy, is a terrific way of getting you out of bed in the morning and keeping you going.

I used to wish there was a useful term for those of us who thought American power should be used to remove psychopathic dictators.

I think religion should be treated with ridicule, hatred and contempt, and I claim that right.

I have more than once in my time woken up feeling like death.