“The instinct to survive is human nature itself, and every aspect of our personalities derives from it. Anything that conflicts with the survival instinct acts sooner or later to eliminate the individual and thereby fails to show up in future generations. . . . A scientifically verifiable theory of morals must be rooted in the individual's instinct to survive--and nowhere else!--and must correctly describe the hierarchy of survival, note the motivations at each level, and resolve all conflicts.
We have such a theory now; we can solve any moral problem, on any level. Self-interest, love of family, duty to country, responsibility toward the human race . . . .
The basis of all morality is duty, a concept with the same relation to group that self-interest has to individual.”
― Starship Troopers
We have such a theory now; we can solve any moral problem, on any level. Self-interest, love of family, duty to country, responsibility toward the human race . . . .
The basis of all morality is duty, a concept with the same relation to group that self-interest has to individual.”
― Starship Troopers
“You don’t become tough by just wishing it. You become tough by being hit so many times by people’s, and especially life’s blows--that you eventually learn how to avoid the blows, and most importantly be more strategic about survival.
So, if you being “hit” Left, East and Center today, trust me when I say that: “thank God for the training.”
―
So, if you being “hit” Left, East and Center today, trust me when I say that: “thank God for the training.”
―
“Look deeply into your soul. You have enough grace and strength to overcome any struggle.”
― Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind
― Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind
“When your own life is threatened, your sense of empathy is blunted by a terrible, selfish hunger for survival.”
― Life of Pi
― Life of Pi
“There's a lovely Hasidic story of a rabbi who always told his people that if they studied the Torah, it would put Scripture on their hearts. One of them asked, "Why on our hearts, and not in them?" The rabbi answered, "Only God can put Scripture inside. But reading sacred text can put it on your heart, and then when your hearts break, the holy words will fall inside.”
― Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
― Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
Faried’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Faried’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Polls voted on by Faried
Lists liked by Faried









