“Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and your life will be serene.”

Enchiridion 8 [Higginson Trans.]

The total amount of suffering in the natural world is beyond all decent contemplation. During the minute it takes me to compose this sentence, thousands of animals are being eated alive; others are running for their lives, whimpering with fear; others are being slowly devoured from within by rasping parasites; thousands of all kinds are dying of starvation, thirst and disease. It must be so. If there is ever a time of plenty, this very fact will automatically lead to an increase in population until the natural state of starvation and misery is restored. (River Out of Eden, p. 132.)
Richard Dawkins

We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.
Richard Darwkins

Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness, even the existence of a God, because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of its consequences·neither believe nor reject anything because other persons· have rejected or believed it. Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven.

- Thomas Jefferson

“It is not things themselves that disturb men, but their judgements about them.”

Enchiridion 5 [Oldfather Trans.]