Every man...should periodically be compelled to listen to opinions which are infuriating to him. To hear nothing but what is read more

Every man...should periodically be compelled to listen to opinions which are infuriating to him. To hear nothing but what is pleasing to one is to make a pillow of the mind.

Religion is not a matter of God, church, holy cause, etc. These are but accessories. The source of religious preoccupation read more

Religion is not a matter of God, church, holy cause, etc. These are but accessories. The source of religious preoccupation is in the self, or rather the rejection of the self. Dedication is the obverse side of self-rejection. Man alone is a religious animal because, as Montaigne points out, "it is a malady confined to man, and not seen in any other creature, to hate and despise ourselves.".

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.

There is no such thing as truth.

There is no such thing as truth.

The affairs of life embrace a multitude of interests, and he who reasons in any one of them, without consulting read more

The affairs of life embrace a multitude of interests, and he who reasons in any one of them, without consulting the rest, is a visionary unsuited to control the business of the world.

Credulity is belief in slight evidence, with no evidence, or against evidence.

Credulity is belief in slight evidence, with no evidence, or against evidence.

Anyone can see a forest fire. Skill lies in sniffing the first smoke.

Anyone can see a forest fire. Skill lies in sniffing the first smoke.

...one of the tests of a theory is that, once grasped, it appears self-evident.

...one of the tests of a theory is that, once grasped, it appears self-evident.

Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors.

Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors.