“Religion often partakes of the myth of progress that shields us from the terrors…” — Frank Herbert

The difference between sentiment and being sentimental is the following: Sentiment is when a driver swerves out of the way to avoid hitting a rabbit on the road. Being sentimental is when the same driver, when swerving away from the rabbit, hits a pedestrian.

The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action.

What do you despise? By this are you truly known.

If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.