“The entire purpose of our existence is to overcome our negative habits.” —Rabbi Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna (1720-1797)

“A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.”–David Hume

“Alcohol makes other people less tedious, and food less bland, and can help provide what the Greeks called entheos, or the slight buzz of inspiration when reading or writing. The only worthwhile miracle in the New Testament—the transmutation of water into wine during the wedding at Cana—is a tribute to the persistence of Hellenism in … More Quote of the Day

“People got in their head, well, if it’s man-made somehow it’s potentially dangerous, but if it’s natural, it isn’t. That doesn’t really fit with anything we know about toxicology. When we understand how animals are resistant to chemicals, the mechanisms are all independent of whether it’s natural or synthetic. And in fact, when you look … More Quote of the Day

“I could never understand ethnic or national pride. Because to me, pride should be reserved for something you achieve or attain on your own, not something that happens by accident of birth. Being Irish isn’t a skill, it’s a fucking genetic accident. You wouldn’t say ‘I’m proud to be 5’11.’ or ‘I’m proud to have … More Quote of the Day

“A cult is a religion with no political power.” ― Tom Wolfe

“Who knew governing would be so different from cheating people out of their money.”—Donald Trump, reacting to the defeat of his healthcare bill (Well, he might have said it.)

“For what does reason purport to do? Establish what is true, eliminate what is false and suspend judgement in doubtful cases. … What else does reason prescribe? To accept the consequence of what has been admitted to be correct.” –Epictetus

“No culture in human history ever suffered because its people became too reasonable or too desirous of having evidence in defense of their core beliefs.”–Sam Harris

“Ah, the patter of little feet around the house. There’s nothing like having a midget for a butler. ” ― W.C. Fields