[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
Interpretation
Extraordinary assertions require strong proof to be accepted as true.
This quote emphasizes the importance of providing substantial evidence when making remarkable or extraordinary claims. Hitchens suggests that the strength of the evidence should match the boldness of the assertion, implying that skepticism is a critical component of rational discourse.
In practice
This quote could be used in a debate about scientific theories versus pseudoscience to highlight the need for evidence.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way — because it’s had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But you’ve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
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.
Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.
Take advice, but don't take orders.
It is true that words have power, and one of the things they are able to do is get out of someone’s mouth before the speaker has the chance to stop them.
Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. And when we introduce an intention in our pure potentiality, we put this infinite organizing power to work for us.
We can't cross that bridge until we come to it, but I always like to lay down a pontoon ahead of time.
I've made peace with the fact that the things that I thought were weaknesses or flaws were just me. I like them.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.