What men usually ask for when they pray to God is, that two and two may not make four.

What men usually ask for when they pray to God is, that two and two may not make four.

As a first approximation, I define "belief" not as the object of believing (a dogma, a program, etc.) but as read more

As a first approximation, I define "belief" not as the object of believing (a dogma, a program, etc.) but as the subject's investment in a proposition, the act of saying it and considering it as true.

One should not stand at the foot of a sick person's bed, because that place is reserved for the guardian read more

One should not stand at the foot of a sick person's bed, because that place is reserved for the guardian angel.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is read more

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is usually embraced with vehemence and extremism, for we have to convince ourselves that what we took as second choice is the best there ever was. Thus blind faith is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves; insatiable desire a substitute for hope; accumulation a substitute for growth; fervent hustling a substitute for purposeful action; and pride a substitute for an unattainable self-respect.

I started out by believing God for a newer car than the one I was driving. I started out believing read more

I started out by believing God for a newer car than the one I was driving. I started out believing God for a nicer apartment than I had. Then I moved up.

With the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice.

With the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice.

The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.

The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.

It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within read more

It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within him.