Universal deities ... never seem to smile. Not in any culture. What's the point of having omnipotence if you don't enjoy it?

Faith has its price. When misfortune strikes the true believer, he assumes he has done something to deserve punishment, but isn't quite certain what. The realist, recognizing that he lives in a Darwinian universe, is simply grateful to have made it to another sunset.

There is nothing that overwhelms the senses quite like an unwelcome silence.

Technological civilizations don't last long. You're all right until you get a printing press. Then a race starts between technology and common sense. And maybe technology always wins.

Somewhere we taught ourselves that our opinions are more significant than the facts. And somehow we get our egos and our opinions and Truth all mixed up in a single package, so that when something does challenge one of the notions to which we subscribe, we react as if it challenges us.

If you want data to survive, carve it in rock.

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