Quotes and Commentary

A superstition is a premature explanation that overstays its time.
-- George Iles

Because the world's major religions began when science was all but nonexistent, much of their beliefs fall into this "premature explanation" category. Such superstitions have, unfortunately, hung on long after such "explanations" have been proven false.

That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
-- Paul Valery

Can you say sacred cows?

Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
-- Albert Einstein

Many people have an atavistic fear of being different, standing out from the crowd, or thinking for themselves in any way. A pity, really, as all great people have marched to the beat of their own drummer, at least to some extent.

Good questions outrank easy answers.
— Paul A. Samuelson

Many people are quick to give simple, easy answers to complex questions, such as "Why are some people fat? Because they eat too much." or "Why are some people poor? Because they're lazy and don't want to work." Though in some individual instances, these answers may be partially true, to give such flip, facile answers to situations that obviously have multifaceted causes is simply an example of lazy thinking -- or lack of thinking altogether -- in my book.

I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education.
— Wilson Mizner

Faith accepts things as they are, which promotes stagnation. Doubt inspires questions, which inspire more questions, which inspire learning.

Good advice is something a man gives when he is too old to set a bad example.
— François VI Duke (duc) de La Rochefoucauld

I hope I am never old enough to give good advice