Paving the way to fanaticism in the name of Leonardo da Vinci

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
-Leonardo da Vinci-

"Thus you may multiply each stone 4 times & no more for they will then become oyles shining in ye dark and fit for magicall uses. You may ferment them with [gold] and [silver], by keeping the stone and metal in fusion together for a day, & then project upon metalls. This is the multiplication of ye stone in vertue. To multiply it in weight ad to it of ye first Gold whether philosophic or vulgar."

-Sir Isaac Newton-

A theory of knowledge

"Do you suppose there is any living man so unreasonable that if he found himself stricken with a dangerous ailment he would not anxiously desire to regain the blessing of health?"
-Francesco Petrarca-

“Truth is not as pompous and romantic as myth ... but it has the immeasurable value of being the Truth.”
-Felix Alba-Juez, E=mc^2: The Most Famous Equation in History... and its Folklore-

Justin Bieber vs the Universe

"'I'm an atheist, BUT . . .' What follows such an opening is nearly always unhelpful, nihilistic or — worse — suffused with a sort of exultant negativity."

-Richrd Dawkins, The God Delusion-

"Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the ‘transcendent’ and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence."
-Cristopher Hitchens-