What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This thought-provoking quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, reflects on the paradox of contemporary society yearning for ideological conformity in a nation originally founded on the principles of religious freedom and independence from orthodoxy. “Present day Americans yearning for orthodoxy”: This part of the quote highlights a […]
Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not rely solely upon science and reason, but we distrust anything that contradicts science or outrages reason.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, emphasizes a commitment to rationalism, skepticism, and evidence-based thinking. It outlines a perspective that contrasts belief in religious dogma with a reliance on reason and empirical evidence. “Our belief is not a belief”: This part of the quote suggests that […]
To terrify children with the image of hell… to consider women an inferior creation. Is that good for the world?
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, highlights two significant concerns related to certain religious teachings and practices: the use of fear, particularly the concept of hell, in religious education, and the historical subjugation of women within religious traditions. It raises questions about the impact of these […]
Everything about Christianity is contained in the pathetic image of ‘the flock.’
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to the author and journalist Christopher Hitchens, offers a critical perspective on Christianity, particularly its portrayal of believers as “the flock.” It implies that a central aspect of Christianity, the metaphor of the flock, encapsulates key aspects of the religion’s structure and relationship […]
The person who is certain, and who claims divine warrant for his certainty, belongs now to the infancy of our species.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: In this quote, attributed to the author and critic Salman Rushdie, a profound insight is offered into the nature of certainty, faith, and the progression of human understanding. It suggests that individuals who claim absolute certainty, especially when grounded in religious authority, may be reflecting a less […]
Human decency is not derived from religion. It precedes it.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to the author and neuroscientist Christopher Hitchens, challenges the common belief that morality and human decency are solely rooted in religious teachings. It asserts that these qualities exist independently of religion and even predate its emergence. At its core, this quote underscores the […]
Philosophy begins where religion ends, just as by analogy chemistry begins where alchemy runs out
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This thought-provoking quote, attributed to renowned philosopher Christopher Hitchens, illuminates the relationship between philosophy, religion, and the evolution of human knowledge. At its core, this statement suggests that philosophy and religion serve distinct, albeit interconnected, roles in the intellectual and spiritual development of humanity. Religion often provides […]
Time spent arguing is, oddly enough, almost never wasted.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This intriguing quote invites us to reconsider our perspective on arguments and their value in our lives. At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive, as many of us view arguments as unproductive or even detrimental to our relationships and well-being. However, upon deeper reflection, the quote imparts […]
The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This profound quote delves into the core of intellectual independence and highlights that it’s not solely about the ideas one holds but rather the manner in which one arrives at those ideas. It underscores the significance of the thought process, critical thinking, and intellectual autonomy. In essence, […]
My own view is that this planet is used as a penal colony, lunatic asylum and dumping ground by a superior civilization.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote carries a thought-provoking message about the state of our world. Orwell suggests that Earth, in his view, serves as a place where a more advanced or superior civilization sends individuals as punishment, confinement, or simply as a place to discard unwanted elements. To truly understand […]
Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, humorously highlights the unconditional love and loyalty that dogs often exhibit towards their owners. It uses the metaphor of dogs perceiving their owners as gods to emphasize the deep bond and trust that can develop between humans and their canine […]
Beware the irrational, however seductive.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, serves as a cautionary reminder about the allure of irrational beliefs or ideas. It encourages individuals to exercise critical thinking and skepticism when confronted with concepts or arguments that may be emotionally appealing but lack a rational basis. Warning Against […]
Religion is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, offers a critical perspective on religion and its origins. It highlights the human element in the creation of religious beliefs and the inherent disagreements and interpretations that arise within religious traditions. Religion as Man-Made: The quote asserts that religion is […]
Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, encourages active engagement and moral responsibility in the face of injustice or ignorance. It emphasizes the importance of not passively observing or tolerating actions or situations that are unfair or devoid of rationality. Active Involvement: The quote advocates for proactive […]
The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, attributed to Christopher Hitchens, delves into the realm of belief and intellectual consistency. It reflects a personal stance on atheism and cognitive dissonance, shedding light on the idea that for the speaker, atheism is the only belief system that aligns perfectly with their rational thinking […]
To ‘choose’ dogma and faith over doubt and experience is to throw out the ripening vintage and to reach greedily for the Kool-Aid.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, attributed to Christopher Hitchens, uses vivid imagery to convey a powerful message about the perils of unquestioning faith and dogmatic thinking. It suggests that opting for rigid belief systems and blind faith over skepticism and the pursuit of experiential knowledge is akin to making a […]
The four most over-rated things in life are champagne, lobster, anal sex, and picnics.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Christopher Hitchens, is a humorous and somewhat provocative statement that challenges societal perceptions and preferences. It suggests that certain experiences or pleasures that are often considered highly desirable or luxurious may be overrated or not as extraordinary as they are commonly portrayed. […]
That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, which bears a similarity to the first quote we discussed, reiterates the importance of evidence in the evaluation of assertions. Attributed to Christopher Hitchens, it succinctly emphasizes a key principle of critical thinking: that claims or assertions made without supporting evidence can be justifiably rejected […]
Exceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to Carl Sagan, a prominent astrophysicist and science communicator, conveys a crucial principle in scientific and rational thinking. It addresses the idea that extraordinary or highly unusual claims require a higher standard of evidence than ordinary or commonplace assertions. In essence, the quote […]
What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote, often attributed to the renowned atheist and author Christopher Hitchens, encapsulates a fundamental principle of rational thinking and skepticism. At its core, it emphasizes the importance of evidence in supporting claims or assertions. In essence, it suggests that if someone makes a statement or assertion […]
You will learn a lot about yourself if you stretch in the direction of goodness, of bigness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of emotional bravery.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote serves as a profound reminder of the transformative power of personal growth and the importance of striving to become a better version of ourselves. It encourages us to embark on a journey of self-discovery by actively cultivating positive qualities and virtues. The quote suggests that […]
It’s up to you to make your life. Take what you have and stack it up like a tower of teetering blocks. Build your dream around that.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote is a motivational call to action, urging us to take responsibility for our own lives and to create our own path to success and fulfillment. It emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness, determination, and resilience in pursuing our dreams. The phrase “It’s up to you to […]
Don’t do what you know on a gut level to be the wrong thing to do.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote offers straightforward and practical advice about moral and ethical decision-making. It emphasizes the importance of listening to our inner moral compass and acting in alignment with what we know to be right, even when it may be challenging or tempting to do otherwise. The phrase […]
I’ll never know and neither will you about the life you didn’t choose. We’ll only know that whatever that sister life was, it was important and beautiful and not ours.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote reflects on the concept of the “what if” scenarios in life and how we often wonder about the paths we didn’t take. It acknowledges that there are always alternative choices and opportunities that we will never fully comprehend or experience. “I’ll never know, and neither […]
Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote carries a message of personal ownership and empowerment in the face of life’s experiences, whether they are positive or negative. It encourages us to take ownership of our experiences and use them as a means of personal growth and self-discovery. The phrase “Whatever happens to […]
