At Oxford one was positively encouraged to take wine during tutorials. The tongue must be untied.

My favorite time in the cycles of public life is the time when the Pope is dead and they haven't elected a new one. There's no one in the world who is infallible for those weeks. And you know, I don't miss it.

No school of philosophy has ever solved this question of whether being determines consciousness or the other way around. It may be a false antithesis.

My political life has been informed by the view that if there was any truth to religion there wouldn't really be any need for politics.

The teachings of Christianity - from vicarious redemption to the love of enemies, no thought for the morrow need be taken, that no thrift or care or family or society or solidarity is necessary - these are immoral teachings that have done and continue to inflict untold moral and physical harm on our species. And until we outgrow this nonsense, we have no chance of emancipating ourselves.

To reflect upon the event horizon is a great deal more awe-inspiring than a burning bush or a wooden statue that weeps or pees or bleeds.

Human society is inconceivable unless words are to some extent bonds.