Tolerance for intolerance is not tolerance at all.
I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.
Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.
No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling.
If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature.
Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.
Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.
I guess my feeling is that if you’re going to make a joke, that’s fine, but you should also sort of stand behind it, you know? A joke should be more than a joke, it should be a point that you’re trying to make.
It's very strange that most people don't care if their knowledge of their family history only goes back three generations.
Technically, the city of Ankh-Morpork is a Tyranny, which is not always the same thing as a monarchy, and in fact even the post of Tyrant has been somewhat redefined by the incumbent, Lord Vetinari, as the only form of democracy that works. Everyone is entitled to vote, unless disqualified by reason of age or not being Lord Vetinari.
I wouldn't say that cutting was pleasurable, but there is a sense of euphoria that follows cutting yourself. The quick pinch of pain and the sight of blood snaps you back to the surface and you start to appreciate being alive.