On Philosophy

It is not men's consciousness that determines their existence, but on the contrary, it is their social existence that determines their consciousness.Karl Marx

Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.Karl Marx

. . . the axiom "A" is equal to "A" signifies that a thing is equal to itself if it does not change, that is, if it does not exist.Leon Trotsky

Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.Ludwig Wittgenstein

Dogmatism and skepticism are both, in a sense, absolute philosophies; one is certain of knowing, the other of not knowing. What philosophy should dissipate is certainty, whether of knowledge or ignorance.Bertrand Russell

On Theism

So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.Bertrand Russell

A cult is a religion with no political power.Tom Wolfe

There is no heresy or philosophy so abhorent to the Church as a human being.James Joyce

But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?Mark Twain

On Capitalism

You don't need to pray to God any more when there are storms in the sky, but you do have to be insured.Bertold Brecht

A liberal is just a Capitalist in sheep’s clothing.Zhou Enlai

Catch a man a fish, and you can sell it to him. Teach a man to fish, and you ruin a wonderful business opportunity.Karl Marx

Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.Bertrand Russell