Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense.
—Carl Sagan
What is sacred about all of our lives, even those of us who would never dream of using such a word for it, is that God speaks to us through what happens to us—even through such unpromising events as walking up the road to get the mail out of the mailbox, maybe, or seeing something in the news that brings you up short, or laughing yourself silly with a friend. If skeptics ask to be shown an instance of God speaking to them in their lives, I suggest that they pay closer attention to the next time when, for unaccountable reasons, they find tears in their eyes.
—Frederick Buechner
Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense.
—Carl Sagan
The crucial disadvantage of aggression, competitiveness, and skepticism as national characteristics is that these qualities cannot be turned off at five o'clock.
—Margaret Halsey
It is supposed to be part of the American tradition that if we want to step out of line, we step out of line. Democracy isn't falling in line behind the president. Democracy is for people to think independently, be skeptical of government, look around and try to find out what's going on. And if they find out that government is deceiving them, to speak out as loudly as they can.
—Howard Zinn
How many people here have telekenetic powers? Raise my hand.
—Emo Philips
Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily.
—George Santayana
The skepticism of youth signals the beginning of a search for something actually worth trusting, both within one's own psyche and in the world. That's why teens, supposedly stuck in life's lost years, are often so unequivocal about what they love and what they hate, and so frustrated when they feel misunderstood. The adolescent spirit is not the spirit of the lost. It is the conviction that you are not lost—that wandering has a purpose, and that what you deserve more than anything is the freedom to walk awhile on your own path.
—Ann Powers
Doubt is the father of invention.
—Ambrose Bierce