“Those who have never known the deep intimacy and the intense companionship of happy mutual love have missed the best thing that life has to give.”

The wise man thinks about his troubles only when there is some purpose in doing so; at other times he thinks about other things, or, if it is night, about nothing at all.

A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy can live.

Whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities.

In all affairs, it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.

We know very little, and yet it is astonishing that we know so much, and still more astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power.

And if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that he would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt his existence.

The secret of happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible, horrible, horrible.

No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.

Is there any knowledge in the world that is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it?

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.

Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand.

It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence that could support this.

Anything you’re good at contributes to happiness.

We love our habits more than our income, often more than our life.

Sin is geographical.

Being the companion of the folk of this world is fire. There must be an Abraham if the fire is not going to burn [you].

You ache with loneliness one night so much you weep and I say ‘here is a rope tie it around me Hafiz will be your companion for life’.

Now the Church is not wood and stone, but the company of believing people; one must hold to them, and see how they believe, live and teach.

It isn’t humanly possible to be the best version of yourself on your own.

Every puppy should have a boy.

I’m not just writing songs that are narrating my life, but everyone else around my age because they’re super-relatable.

A man’s admiration of absolute government is proportionate to the contempt he feels for those around him.

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.