I boldly assert, in fact I think I know, that a lot of friendships and connections absolutely depend upon a sort of shared language, or slang. Not necessarily designed to exclude others, this can establish a certain comity and, even after a long absence, re-establish it in a second.

Christopher Hitchens

A gentleman is never rude except on purpose - I can honestly be nasty sober, believe you me.

Christopher Hitchens

Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.

Christopher Hitchens

Religion is part of the human make-up. It's also part of our cultural and intellectual history. Religion was our first attempt at literature, the texts, our first attempt at cosmology, making sense of where we are in the universe, our first attempt at health care, believing in faith healing, our first attempt at philosophy.

Christopher Hitchens

There are all kinds of stupid people that annoy me but what annoys me most is a lazy argument.

Christopher Hitchens

What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Christopher Hitchens

I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow-minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open-mindedness.

Christopher Hitchens

The totalitarian, to me, is the enemy - the one that's absolute, the one that wants control over the inside of your head, not just your actions and your taxes.

Christopher Hitchens

My own view is that this planet is used as a penal colony, lunatic asylum and dumping ground by a superior civilisation, to get rid of the undesirable and unfit. I can't prove it, but you can't disprove it either.

Christopher Hitchens

To the dumb question, 'Why me?' the cosmos barely bothers to return the reply, 'Why not?'

Christopher Hitchens

I'm not particularly a feminist, but if you get women off the animal cycle of reproduction and give them some say in how many children they'll have, immediately the floor will rise.

Christopher Hitchens

The fact is: It's true what they say about the United States. It is a land of opportunity. It is too various to get bored with it.

Christopher Hitchens

Solidarity is an attitude of resistance, I suppose, or it should be.

Christopher Hitchens

In one way, I suppose, I have been 'in denial' for some time, knowingly burning the candle at both ends and finding that it often gives a lovely light.

Christopher Hitchens

I don't think it's possible to have a sense of tragedy without having a sense of humor.

Christopher Hitchens

I've had some dark nights of the soul, of course, but giving in to depression would be a sellout, a defeat.

Christopher Hitchens

High moral character is not a precondition for great moral accomplishments.

Christopher Hitchens

Henry Kissinger should have the door shut in his face by every decent person and should be shamed, ostracized and excluded.

Christopher Hitchens

Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.

Christopher Hitchens

Trust is not the same as faith. A friend is someone you trust. Putting faith in anyone is a mistake.

Christopher Hitchens

A good day is one where I can not just read a book, but write a review of it. Maybe today I'll be able to do that. I get for some reason somewhat stronger when the sun starts to go down. Dusk is a good time for me. I'm crepuscular.

Christopher Hitchens