Faith is conviction without evidence, and sometimes even in the face of contrary evidence. In some quarters, this quality is perceived as a virtue.

It can provide horrendous weapons to idiots.

Show me what a people admire, and I will tell you everything about them that matters.

All of the important things ... will turn out to be universally shared. It's why there will be no true aliens.

The measure of a civilization is in the courage, not of its soldiers, but of its bystanders.

Tides are like politics. They come and go with a great deal of fuss and noise, but inevitably they leave the beach just as they found it. On those few occasions when major change does occur, it is rarely a good news.

An optimist is somebody who thinks our various political and social systems, schools and churches, support groups and Boy Scout troops, jury trials and congressional committees, are on the up-and-up. That they are intended for the benefit of the members. The reality is that they are designed to keep everyone in line.