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292 Motivational Quotes By Richard Dawkins For The Mavericks

Famous As: British Evolutionary Biologist Who Contends that a Supernatural Creator Almost Certainly Does Not Exist
Born On: March 26, 1941
Born In: Nairobi, Kenya
Founder / Co Founder: Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS)
Age: 82 Years
Richard Dawkins is an eminent English author, ethologist and evolutionary biologist. He has made remarkable contributions to the field of biology. The role of gene in evolution was emphasized by him. Dawkins also instigated the new discipline of genetic ethology. Known to be an atheist, Dawkins is also renowned for his carping of intelligent design and creationism. He strongly opposes the teaching of creation science in schools. He has been bagged in number of awards in academics and also for his prolific writing and thoughts. He is seen frequently discussing his atheism, ideas, thoughts, views, books and opinions as a public intellectual on television, internet and radio. Following are some quotes and sayings by Richard Dawkins which have been curated from his writings, thoughts, books, lectures, tweets, interviews, shows and public utterances. Read through the quotes and thoughts by Richard Dawkins that are sure to inspire you.
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Something about the cultural tradition of Jews is way, way more sympathetic to science and learning and intellectual pursuits than Islam.

Something about the cultural tradition of Jews is way, way more sympathetic to science and learning and intellectual pursuits than Islam.

Richard Dawkins
If saying that religion should be a private matter and should not have special influence in public life is illiberal, then 74% of U.K. Christians are illiberal, too.

If saying that religion should be a private matter and should not have special influence in public life is illiberal, then 74% of U.K. Christians are illiberal, too.

Richard Dawkins
Placebos work.

Placebos work.

Richard Dawkins
I'm not much given to straight, irony-free hero-worship.

I'm not much given to straight, irony-free hero-worship.

Richard Dawkins
I can handle heckling on evolution because it's my own field.

I can handle heckling on evolution because it's my own field.

Richard Dawkins
In Britain, you don't usually learn about evolution until you are about 15. I should have thought that you should start at about 8. But I could be wrong about that.

In Britain, you don't usually learn about evolution until you are about 15. I should have thought that you should start at about 8. But I could be wrong about that.

Richard Dawkins
In the World Wars, people were perfectly able to shoot other people just because they belonged to the wrong country, without ever asking what their opinions were. Faith too is like that.

In the World Wars, people were perfectly able to shoot other people just because they belonged to the wrong country, without ever asking what their opinions were. Faith too is like that.

Richard Dawkins
Teachers who help to open young minds perform a duty which is as near sacred as I will admit.

Teachers who help to open young minds perform a duty which is as near sacred as I will admit.

Richard Dawkins
I think a fundamentalist is somebody who believes something unshakably and isn't going to change their mind.

I think a fundamentalist is somebody who believes something unshakably and isn't going to change their mind.

Richard Dawkins
I don't actually think 'The Selfish Gene' is a very good title. I think that's one of my worst titles.

I don't actually think 'The Selfish Gene' is a very good title. I think that's one of my worst titles.

Richard Dawkins
The state of Israel seems to owe its very existence to the American Jewish vote, while at the same time consigning the non-religious to political oblivion.

The state of Israel seems to owe its very existence to the American Jewish vote, while at the same time consigning the non-religious to political oblivion.

Richard Dawkins
I can remember at the age of about six being fascinated by the planets and learning all about Mars and Venus and things.

I can remember at the age of about six being fascinated by the planets and learning all about Mars and Venus and things.

Richard Dawkins
When brains get sufficiently big, presumably, as human brains have, consciousness seems to emerge.

When brains get sufficiently big, presumably, as human brains have, consciousness seems to emerge.

Richard Dawkins
Science, as opposed to technology, does violence to common sense.

Science, as opposed to technology, does violence to common sense.

Richard Dawkins
The feminists taught us about consciousness-raising.

The feminists taught us about consciousness-raising.

Richard Dawkins
Either Jesus had a father, or he didn't. The question is a scientific one, and scientific evidence, if any were available, would be used to settle it.

Either Jesus had a father, or he didn't. The question is a scientific one, and scientific evidence, if any were available, would be used to settle it.

Richard Dawkins
I'm afraid the Internet is filled with people using really very intemperate language.

I'm afraid the Internet is filled with people using really very intemperate language.

Richard Dawkins
Darwin gives courage to the rest of science that we shall end up understanding literally everything, springing from almost nothing - a thought extremely hard to comprehend and believe.

Darwin gives courage to the rest of science that we shall end up understanding literally everything, springing from almost nothing - a thought extremely hard to comprehend and believe.

Richard Dawkins
I don't think that it's up to government to dictate what people should wear.

I don't think that it's up to government to dictate what people should wear.

Richard Dawkins
A native speaker of English who has never read a word of the King James Bible is verging on the barbarian.

A native speaker of English who has never read a word of the King James Bible is verging on the barbarian.

Richard Dawkins
I'm not a good observer. I'm not proud of it.

I'm not a good observer. I'm not proud of it.

Richard Dawkins
Of course you can use the products of science to do bad things, but you can use them to do good things, too.

Of course you can use the products of science to do bad things, but you can use them to do good things, too.

Richard Dawkins
Science coverage could be improved by the recognition that science is timeless, and therefore science stories should not need to be pegged to an item in the news.

Science coverage could be improved by the recognition that science is timeless, and therefore science stories should not need to be pegged to an item in the news.

Richard Dawkins
It's an important point to realize that the genetic programming of our lives is not fully deterministic. It is statistical - it is in any animal merely statistical - not deterministic.

It's an important point to realize that the genetic programming of our lives is not fully deterministic. It is statistical - it is in any animal merely statistical - not deterministic.

Richard Dawkins
I once wrote that anybody who believes the world is only 6,000 years old is either ignorant, stupid, insane or wicked.

I once wrote that anybody who believes the world is only 6,000 years old is either ignorant, stupid, insane or wicked.

Richard Dawkins
Christopher Hitchens was a writer and an orator with a matchless style, commanding a vocabulary and a range of literary and historical allusion far wider than anybody I know.

Christopher Hitchens was a writer and an orator with a matchless style, commanding a vocabulary and a range of literary and historical allusion far wider than anybody I know.

Richard Dawkins
Don't feel embarrassed if you've never heard of William Lane Craig. He parades himself as a philosopher, but none of the professors of philosophy whom I consulted had heard his name, either.

Don't feel embarrassed if you've never heard of William Lane Craig. He parades himself as a philosopher, but none of the professors of philosophy whom I consulted had heard his name, either.

Richard Dawkins
It doesn't hurt my feeling when I get vilified by fundamentalist religious people. I've actually made comedy out of it. I've made light of that.

It doesn't hurt my feeling when I get vilified by fundamentalist religious people. I've actually made comedy out of it. I've made light of that.

Richard Dawkins
I'm pretty sure there is some genetic component towards intelligence.

I'm pretty sure there is some genetic component towards intelligence.

Richard Dawkins
In the case of Stalinism, people actually distorted science because it was for the good of the Communist Party.

In the case of Stalinism, people actually distorted science because it was for the good of the Communist Party.

Richard Dawkins
There is something cheap about magic that works just because it is magic.

There is something cheap about magic that works just because it is magic.

Richard Dawkins
If you read Islamic creationist literature, it's pretty much lifted from American evangelical literature.

If you read Islamic creationist literature, it's pretty much lifted from American evangelical literature.

Richard Dawkins
Public sharing is an important part of science.

Public sharing is an important part of science.

Richard Dawkins
I think it's misleading to use a word like 'God' in the way Einstein did. I'm sorry that Einstein did. I think he was asking for trouble, and he certainly was misunderstood.

I think it's misleading to use a word like 'God' in the way Einstein did. I'm sorry that Einstein did. I think he was asking for trouble, and he certainly was misunderstood.

Richard Dawkins
There's branches of science which I don't understand; for example, physics. It could be said, I suppose, that I have faith that physicists understand it better than I do.

There's branches of science which I don't understand; for example, physics. It could be said, I suppose, that I have faith that physicists understand it better than I do.

Richard Dawkins
There are many religious points of view where the conservation of the world is just as important as it is to scientists.

There are many religious points of view where the conservation of the world is just as important as it is to scientists.

Richard Dawkins
If Bush and Blair are eventually put on trial for war crimes, I shall not be among those pressing for them to be hanged.

If Bush and Blair are eventually put on trial for war crimes, I shall not be among those pressing for them to be hanged.

Richard Dawkins
The child has no way of knowing what's good information.

The child has no way of knowing what's good information.

Richard Dawkins
People really, really hate their religion being criticized. It's as though you've said they had an ugly face; they seem to identify personally with it.

People really, really hate their religion being criticized. It's as though you've said they had an ugly face; they seem to identify personally with it.

Richard Dawkins
Mystics exult in mystery and want it to stay mysterious. Scientists exult in mystery for a different reason: It gives them something to do.

Mystics exult in mystery and want it to stay mysterious. Scientists exult in mystery for a different reason: It gives them something to do.

Richard Dawkins
There's clearly a lot of Ludditism, and you see it in all the hysteria about every scientific story.

There's clearly a lot of Ludditism, and you see it in all the hysteria about every scientific story.

Richard Dawkins
You can't even begin to understand biology, you can't understand life, unless you understand what it's all there for, how it arose - and that means evolution.

You can't even begin to understand biology, you can't understand life, unless you understand what it's all there for, how it arose - and that means evolution.

Richard Dawkins
I think I would abolish schools which systematically inculcate sectarian beliefs.

I think I would abolish schools which systematically inculcate sectarian beliefs.

Richard Dawkins
As a liberal, I would hesitate to propose a blanket ban on any style of dress because of the implications for individual liberty and freedom of choice.

As a liberal, I would hesitate to propose a blanket ban on any style of dress because of the implications for individual liberty and freedom of choice.

Richard Dawkins
Why did humans lose their body hair? Why did they start walking on their hind legs? Why did they develop big brains? I think that the answer to all three questions is sexual selection.

Why did humans lose their body hair? Why did they start walking on their hind legs? Why did they develop big brains? I think that the answer to all three questions is sexual selection.

Richard Dawkins
I want very much to communicate science to as wide an audience as possible, but not at a cost of dumbing down, and not at a cost in getting things right.

I want very much to communicate science to as wide an audience as possible, but not at a cost of dumbing down, and not at a cost in getting things right.

Richard Dawkins
It is immoral to brand children with religion. 'This is a Catholic child.' 'That is a Muslim child.' I want everyone to flinch when they hear such a phrase, just as they would if they heard, 'That is a Marxist child.'

It is immoral to brand children with religion. 'This is a Catholic child.' 'That is a Muslim child.' I want everyone to flinch when they hear such a phrase, just as they would if they heard, 'That is a Marxist child.'

Richard Dawkins
I did not end up as broadly educated as my Cambridge colleagues, but I graduated probably better equipped to write a book on my chosen subject.

I did not end up as broadly educated as my Cambridge colleagues, but I graduated probably better equipped to write a book on my chosen subject.

Richard Dawkins
People say I'm shrill and strident.

People say I'm shrill and strident.

Richard Dawkins
I have often said that I am a passionate Darwinian when it comes to explaining why we exist.

I have often said that I am a passionate Darwinian when it comes to explaining why we exist.

Richard Dawkins
It's very likely that most mammals have consciousness, and probably birds, too.

It's very likely that most mammals have consciousness, and probably birds, too.

Richard Dawkins
The world is well supplied with spiders whose male ancestors died after mating. The world is bereft of spiders whose would-be ancestors never mated in the first place.

The world is well supplied with spiders whose male ancestors died after mating. The world is bereft of spiders whose would-be ancestors never mated in the first place.

Richard Dawkins
At least the fundamentalists haven't tried to dilute their message. Their faith is exposed for what it is for all to see.

At least the fundamentalists haven't tried to dilute their message. Their faith is exposed for what it is for all to see.

Richard Dawkins
The history of science has been one long series of violent brainstorms, as successive generations have come to terms with increasing levels of queerness in the universe.

The history of science has been one long series of violent brainstorms, as successive generations have come to terms with increasing levels of queerness in the universe.

Richard Dawkins
The supernatural is ubiquitous in children's entertainment, from Grimm and Hans Andersen to Disney and 'Harry Potter.'

The supernatural is ubiquitous in children's entertainment, from Grimm and Hans Andersen to Disney and 'Harry Potter.'

Richard Dawkins
'What is the purpose of the universe?' is a silly question.

'What is the purpose of the universe?' is a silly question.

Richard Dawkins
I would like people to appreciate science in the same way they appreciate the arts.

I would like people to appreciate science in the same way they appreciate the arts.

Richard Dawkins
The earliest books in the New Testament to be written were the Epistles, not the Gospels. It's almost as though Saint Paul and others who wrote the Epistles weren't that interested in whether Jesus was real.

The earliest books in the New Testament to be written were the Epistles, not the Gospels. It's almost as though Saint Paul and others who wrote the Epistles weren't that interested in whether Jesus was real.

Richard Dawkins
What's going to happen when I die? I may be buried, or I may be cremated, I may give my body to science. I haven't decided yet.

What's going to happen when I die? I may be buried, or I may be cremated, I may give my body to science. I haven't decided yet.

Richard Dawkins
People like to trace their ancestry.

People like to trace their ancestry.

Richard Dawkins
When a company seeks a new chief executive officer, or a university a new vice-chancellor, enormous trouble is taken to find the best person.

When a company seeks a new chief executive officer, or a university a new vice-chancellor, enormous trouble is taken to find the best person.

Richard Dawkins
I've always been very suspicious of the left-right dimension in politics.

I've always been very suspicious of the left-right dimension in politics.

Richard Dawkins
I'm sure Obama is an atheist; I'm sure Kennedy was an atheist, but I doubt if Pope Frank is.

I'm sure Obama is an atheist; I'm sure Kennedy was an atheist, but I doubt if Pope Frank is.

Richard Dawkins
Coming out as an atheist can cost an academic his or her job in some parts of America, and many choose to keep quiet about their atheism.

Coming out as an atheist can cost an academic his or her job in some parts of America, and many choose to keep quiet about their atheism.

Richard Dawkins
I am very conscious that you can't condemn people of an earlier era by the standards of ours.

I am very conscious that you can't condemn people of an earlier era by the standards of ours.

Richard Dawkins
There's a mystical strain in every country, and eclipses are likely to bring that out.

There's a mystical strain in every country, and eclipses are likely to bring that out.

Richard Dawkins
I love words.

I love words.

Richard Dawkins
But perhaps the rest of us could have separate classes in science appreciation, the wonder of science, scientific ways of thinking, and the history of scientific ideas, rather than laboratory experience.

But perhaps the rest of us could have separate classes in science appreciation, the wonder of science, scientific ways of thinking, and the history of scientific ideas, rather than laboratory experience.

Richard Dawkins
I didn't know children were expected to have literary heroes, but I certainly had one, and I even identified with him at one time: Doctor Dolittle, whom I now half identify with the Charles Darwin of Beagle days.

I didn't know children were expected to have literary heroes, but I certainly had one, and I even identified with him at one time: Doctor Dolittle, whom I now half identify with the Charles Darwin of Beagle days.

Richard Dawkins
Tortoises can survive for weeks without food or water, easily long enough to float in the Humboldt Current from South America to the Galapagos Islands.

Tortoises can survive for weeks without food or water, easily long enough to float in the Humboldt Current from South America to the Galapagos Islands.

Richard Dawkins
A constellation is not an entity at all, not the kind of thing that Uranus, or anything else, can sensibly be said to 'move into.'

A constellation is not an entity at all, not the kind of thing that Uranus, or anything else, can sensibly be said to 'move into.'

Richard Dawkins
Any teaching of falsehoods in science classes should certainly be identified and stopped by school inspectors. School inspectors should be looking at science teachings to make sure they are evidence-based science.

Any teaching of falsehoods in science classes should certainly be identified and stopped by school inspectors. School inspectors should be looking at science teachings to make sure they are evidence-based science.

Richard Dawkins
Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs.

Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs.

Richard Dawkins
My interest in biology was pretty much always on the philosophical side.

My interest in biology was pretty much always on the philosophical side.

Richard Dawkins
Nico Tinbergen was my doctoral supervisor, and he was a benign, avuncular sort of influence; everybody loved him.

Nico Tinbergen was my doctoral supervisor, and he was a benign, avuncular sort of influence; everybody loved him.

Richard Dawkins
Evil is a miscellaneous collection of nasty things that nasty people do.

Evil is a miscellaneous collection of nasty things that nasty people do.

Richard Dawkins
I wouldn't want to have the thought police going to people's homes, dictating what they teach their children. I don't want to be Big Brotherish. I would hate that.

I wouldn't want to have the thought police going to people's homes, dictating what they teach their children. I don't want to be Big Brotherish. I would hate that.

Richard Dawkins
I read novels for entertainment rather than for edification, so I tend not to read the sort of novels that are said to illuminate the human condition.

I read novels for entertainment rather than for edification, so I tend not to read the sort of novels that are said to illuminate the human condition.

Richard Dawkins
I guess the Democrats have to pretend to be more pious than the Republicans because they are under suspicion of not being.

I guess the Democrats have to pretend to be more pious than the Republicans because they are under suspicion of not being.

Richard Dawkins
I was confirmed at my prep school at the age of 13.

I was confirmed at my prep school at the age of 13.

Richard Dawkins
I was never much bothered about moral questions like, 'How could there be a good God when there's so much evil in the world?'

I was never much bothered about moral questions like, 'How could there be a good God when there's so much evil in the world?'

Richard Dawkins
Humans are just a very, very small part of the panoply of life, and it is arguable that in a certain sense, humans have emancipated themselves from Darwinian selection.

Humans are just a very, very small part of the panoply of life, and it is arguable that in a certain sense, humans have emancipated themselves from Darwinian selection.

Richard Dawkins
I am baffled by the way sophisticated theologians who know Adam and Eve never existed still keep talking about it.

I am baffled by the way sophisticated theologians who know Adam and Eve never existed still keep talking about it.

Richard Dawkins
If there are other worlds elsewhere in the universe, I would conjecture they are governed by the same laws of natural selection.

If there are other worlds elsewhere in the universe, I would conjecture they are governed by the same laws of natural selection.

Richard Dawkins
It's a difficult business, finding out what's true about the world, the universe.

It's a difficult business, finding out what's true about the world, the universe.

Richard Dawkins
There are people who try to get atheists to form a sort of atheist church and have atheist community singsongs and things. I don't see the need for that, but if people want to do it, why shouldn't they?

There are people who try to get atheists to form a sort of atheist church and have atheist community singsongs and things. I don't see the need for that, but if people want to do it, why shouldn't they?

Richard Dawkins
We are a very, very unusual species.

We are a very, very unusual species.

Richard Dawkins
I have begun several projects which were never completed, not necessarily because they failed, but because I got interested in other things.

I have begun several projects which were never completed, not necessarily because they failed, but because I got interested in other things.

Richard Dawkins
Saddam Hussein could have provided irreplaceable help to future historians of the Iran/Iraq war, of the invasion of Kuwait, and of the subsequent era of sanctions culminating in the current invasion.

Saddam Hussein could have provided irreplaceable help to future historians of the Iran/Iraq war, of the invasion of Kuwait, and of the subsequent era of sanctions culminating in the current invasion.

Richard Dawkins
What's wrong with being elitist if you are trying to encourage people to join the elite rather than being exclusive?

What's wrong with being elitist if you are trying to encourage people to join the elite rather than being exclusive?

Richard Dawkins
Religious organisations have an automatic tax-free charitable status.

Religious organisations have an automatic tax-free charitable status.

Richard Dawkins
Compassionate doctors sometimes lie to patients about the severity of their condition, and it is not always wrong to do so.

Compassionate doctors sometimes lie to patients about the severity of their condition, and it is not always wrong to do so.

Richard Dawkins
If your plane is being hijacked by an armed man who, though prepared to take risks, presumably wants to go on living, there is room for bargaining.

If your plane is being hijacked by an armed man who, though prepared to take risks, presumably wants to go on living, there is room for bargaining.

Richard Dawkins
As Darwin himself was at pains to point out, natural selection is all about differential survival within species, not between them.

As Darwin himself was at pains to point out, natural selection is all about differential survival within species, not between them.

Richard Dawkins
I did a film that's on YouTube of me reading hate mail with a woman playing the cello in the background.

I did a film that's on YouTube of me reading hate mail with a woman playing the cello in the background.

Richard Dawkins
I'm quite a softy, yes. I have a blank spot with respect to visual art, but I have perhaps a compensating hypersensitivity to poetry and music.

I'm quite a softy, yes. I have a blank spot with respect to visual art, but I have perhaps a compensating hypersensitivity to poetry and music.

Richard Dawkins
Notoriously, the United States is the most religious of the Western advanced nations. It's a bit mysterious why that is.

Notoriously, the United States is the most religious of the Western advanced nations. It's a bit mysterious why that is.

Richard Dawkins
Although many of us fear death, I think there is something illogical about it.

Although many of us fear death, I think there is something illogical about it.

Richard Dawkins
I get the feeling more and more that religion is being left behind.

I get the feeling more and more that religion is being left behind.

Richard Dawkins
I've never been the sort of firebrand that I've been made out to be. I'm actually quite a mild person.

I've never been the sort of firebrand that I've been made out to be. I'm actually quite a mild person.

Richard Dawkins
I think that people in the Bible Belt are far less monolithically religious than many people imagine. There are lots and lots of people who are free-thinking, secularists, or atheists in the so-called Bible Belt.

I think that people in the Bible Belt are far less monolithically religious than many people imagine. There are lots and lots of people who are free-thinking, secularists, or atheists in the so-called Bible Belt.

Richard Dawkins
We should not live by Darwinian principles. But Darwin explains how we got here.

We should not live by Darwinian principles. But Darwin explains how we got here.

Richard Dawkins