Name one moral action performed by a believer that could not have been done by a nonbeliever. Christopher Hitchens More Quotes by Christopher Hitchens More Quotes From Christopher Hitchens Margaret Thatcher has shown that there is power and dignity to be won by defying the status quo and the majority rather than by adapting to them. If the British left, which she froze into immobility like Medusa, could bring itself to learn from this, then we might not have to look upon her like again. Christopher Hitchens medusamajoritypower If I was told to sacrifice something to prove my devotion to God, if I was told to do what all monotheists are told to do and admire the man who said 'Yes I'll gut my kid to show my love of God.' Christopher Hitchens sacrificemenkids It's called faith because it's not knowledge. Christopher Hitchens We live only a few conscious decades, and we fret ourselves enough for several lifetimes. Christopher Hitchens anxietyenoughlifetime Anyone who can look me in the eye and say they prefer the story of Moses or Jesus or Mohammed to the life of Socrates is intellectually defective. Christopher Hitchens eyelooksjesus It's often a bad sign when people defend themselves against charges which haven't been made. Christopher Hitchens havensmadepeople A point, like a joke, is a terrible thing to miss. Christopher Hitchens terrible-thingsterriblemissing A life that partakes even a little of friendship, love, irony, humor, parenthood, literature, and music, and the chance to take part in battles for the liberation of others cannot be called 'meaningless'. Christopher Hitchens friendship-lovebattleliterature The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism. Christopher Hitchens atheismcognitive-dissonanceatheist Our weapons are the ironic mind against the literal: the open mind against the credulous; the courageous pursuit of truth against the fearful and abject forces who would set limits to investigation (and who stupidly claim that we already have all the truth we need). Perhaps above all, we affirm life over the cults of death and human sacrifice and are afraid, not of inevitable death, but rather of a human life that is cramped and distorted by the pathetic need to offer mindless adulation, or the dismal belief that the laws of nature respond to wailings and incantations. Christopher Hitchens sacrificeatheistlaw I've had some dark nights of the soul, of course, but giving in to depression would be a sellout, a defeat. Christopher Hitchens darkgivingnight As well as being a vulgar producer of her own spectacle, and an embarrassment to her family, Cindy Sheehan is at best a shifty fantasist. Christopher Hitchens vulgarembarrassmentproducers Martin is your best friend, isn't he?' a sweet and well-intentioned girl once said when both of us were present: it was the only time I ever felt awkward about this precious idea, which seemed somehow to risk diminishment if it were uttered aloud. Christopher Hitchens girlbest-friendsweet I have been called arrogant myself in my time, and hope to earn the title again, but to claim that I am privy to the secrets of the universe and its creator - that's beyond my conceit. Christopher Hitchens prideatheistsecret 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 Christopher Hitchens inspirationreadingwriting You notice how liberals keep saying, 'If only Islam would have a Reformation' - it can't have one. It says it can't. It's extremely dangerous in that way. Christopher Hitchens islamdangerousway If the Qur'an was the word of God, it had been dictated on a very bad day. Christopher Hitchens word-of-godislambad-day The pornography of tough-mindedness, covert action, and preparedness for "peace through strength" has had a predictably hypnotic effect on the legislative branch, turning it from legal watchdog to lapdog. Christopher Hitchens toughbranchesaction When you consider how many millions of workdays begin with hangovers great and small, it is mildly surprising to find how few real descriptions of the experience our literature can boast. Christopher Hitchens hangoverrealliterature You should be nicer to him,' a schoolmate had once said to me of some awfully ill-favored boy. 'He has no friends.' This, I realized with a pang of pity that I can still remember, was only true as long as everybody agreed to it. Christopher Hitchens bullyingboyslong
