Arguments that explain everything... explain nothing

Religion is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did.

What is it you most dislike? Stupidity, especially in its nastiest forms of racism and superstition.

One can't live without fear, it's a question of what is your attitude towards fear? I'm afraid of a sordid death. I'm afraid that I will die in an ugly or squalid way, and cancer can be very vigorous in that respect.

I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they refuse to keep their fantasies to themselves.

A sort of moral blackmail is exerted from both poles. The underclass, one gathers, should be dulled with charity and welfare provision lest it turn nasty. The upper class must likewise be conciliated by vast handouts, lest it lose the "incentive" to go on generating wealth.

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