The first people totalitarians destroy or silence are men of ideas and free minds.

Only barbarians are not curious about where they come from, how they came to be where they are, where they appear to be going, whether they wish to go there, and if so, why, and if not, why not.

To understand is to perceive patterns.

There is no a prior reason for supposing that the truth, when it is discovered, will necessarily prove interesting.

All central beliefs on human matters spring from a personal predicament.

The desire not to be impinged upon, to be left to oneself, has been the markof high civilisation both on the part of individuals and communities.

No perfect solution is, not merely in practice, but in principle, possible in human affairs, and any determined attempt to produce it is likely to lead to suffering, disillusionment and failure.