Quotes from work
Letters to a Young Contrarian
Letters to a Young Contrarian is Christopher Hitchens' contribution, released in 2001, to the Art of Mentoring series published by Basic Books.
“Time spent arguing with the faithful is, oddly enough, almost never wasted.”
Source: 2000s, 2001, Letters to a Young Contrarian (2001)
Source: Letters to a Young Contrarian
Source: 2000s, 2001, Letters to a Young Contrarian (2001)
Context: 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. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.
“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
Source: 2000s, 2001, Letters to a Young Contrarian (2001)
