How so many absurd rules of conduct, as well as so many absurd religious beliefs, have originated, we do not know; nor how it is that they have become, in all quarters of the world, so deeply impressed on the minds of men; but it is worthy of remark that a belief constantly inculcated during the early years of life, while the brain is impressionable, appears to acquire almost the nature of an instinct; and the very essence of an instinct is that it is followed independently of reason.

My religious point of view is something I can't talk about. It goes against my belief system to talk publicly about my own spiritual beliefs.

I believe in a long, prolonged, derangement of the senses in order to obtain the unknown.

In the eyes of dialectical philosophy, nothing is established for all times, nothing is absolute or sacred.

I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.

I've been very lucky, and therefore I owe it to try and reduce the inequity in the world. And that's kind of a religious belief. I mean, it's at least a moral belief.