Take the risk of thinking for yourself. Much more happiness, truth, beauty and wisdom will come to you that way.
Interpretation
Thinking independently leads to greater happiness and understanding.
This quote emphasizes the importance of independent thought and creativity. By choosing to think for oneself rather than conforming to societal pressures or expectations, an individual can discover a deeper sense of happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom in life. Hitchens advocates for the courage to embrace one's own ideas and beliefs, suggesting that such self-discovery is essential for personal fulfillment.
In practice
A motivational speaker might use this quote to encourage students to embrace their individuality during a graduation speech.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way β because itβs had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But youβve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
Purity is the fruit of prayer.
Look at this generation, with all of its electronic devices and multitasking. I will confidently predict less success than Warren, who just focused on reading.
Before I can embrace freedom, I should be aware of what duties I have.
Injury in general teaches you to appreciate every moment. I've had my share of injuries throughout my career. It's humbling. It gives you perspective. No matter how many times I've been hurt, I've learned from that injury and come back even more humble.
In everything satiety closely follows the greatest pleasures.
When there's no place for the scalpel, words are the surgeon's only tool.
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