True character arises from a deeper well than religion. It is the internalization of moral principles of a society, augmented by those tenets personally chosen by the individual, strong enough to endure through trials of solitude and adversity. The principles are fitted together into what we call integrity, literally the integrated self, wherein personal decisions feel good and true. Character is in turn the enduring source of virtue. It stands by itself and excites admiration in others.

A society that condemns homosexuality harms itself. (254)

Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius.

I see no way out of the problems that organized religion and tribalism create other than humans just becoming more honest and fully aware of themselves.

The real problem of humanity is the following: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and god-like technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall.

That is the great mystery of human evolution: how to account for calculus and Mozart.

The work on ants has profoundly affected the way I think about humans.