You can't choose the ways in which you'll be tested.

Not wanting to die was another universal constant, it seemed.

That natural selection can produce changes within a type is disputed by no one, not even the staunchest creationist. But that it can transform one species into another — that, in fact, has never been observed.

Since ancient times, the philosophers' secret has always been this: we know that God does not exist, or, at least, if he does, he's utterly indifferent to our individual affairs--but we can't let the rabble know that; it's the fear of God, the threat of divine punishment and the promise of divine reward, that keeps in line those too unsophisticated to work out questions of morality on their own.

You can't choose the ways in which you'll be tested.

Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.

Secrecy was the problem; transparency the obvious cure.