The discussions of every age are filled with the issues on which its leading schools of thought differ. But the read more

The discussions of every age are filled with the issues on which its leading schools of thought differ. But the general intellectual atmosphere of the time is always determined by the views on which the opposing schools agree. They become the unspoken presuppositions of all thought, and common and unquestioningly accepted foundations on which all discussion proceeds.

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important read more

It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important to realize that whatever you're doing, it's your first attempt at it.

Believing in progress does not mean believing that any progress has yet been made.

Believing in progress does not mean believing that any progress has yet been made.

The beauty of religious mania is that it has the power to explain everything. Once God (or Satan) is accepted read more

The beauty of religious mania is that it has the power to explain everything. Once God (or Satan) is accepted as the first cause of everything which happens in the mortal world, nothing is left to chance...logic can be happily tossed out the window.

To swallow and follow, whether old doctrine or new propaganda, is a weakness still dominating the human mind.

To swallow and follow, whether old doctrine or new propaganda, is a weakness still dominating the human mind.

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.

Various kinds of ideas can be classified by their relationship to the authentication process. There are ideas systematically prepared for read more

Various kinds of ideas can be classified by their relationship to the authentication process. There are ideas systematically prepared for authentication ("theories"), ideas not derived from any systematic process ("visions"), ideas which could not survive any reasonable authentication process ("illusions"), ideas which exempt themselves from any authentication process ("myths"), ideas which have already passed authentication processes ("facts"), as well as ideas known to have failed- or certain to fail- such processes ("falsehoods" - both mistakes and lies).

It is wrong always, everywhere and for everyone to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.

It is wrong always, everywhere and for everyone to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.