913 Quotes by Yuval Noah Harari

In the wake of the Cognitive Revolution, gossip helped Homo sapiens to form larger and more stable bands. But even gossip has its limits. Sociological research has shown that the maximum ‘natural’ size of a group bonded by gossip is about 150 individuals. Most people can neither intimately know, nor gossip effectively about, more than 150 human beings.

The first principle of monotheist religions is ‘God exists. What does He want from me?’ The first principle of Buddhism is ‘Suffering exists. How do I escape it?

So, monotheism explains order, but is mystified by evil. Dualism explains evil, but is puzzled by order.

Consumerism tells us that in order to be happy we must consume as many products and services as possible.

Humans think in stories rather than in facts, numbers, or equations, and the simpler the story, the better.

Ordinary people may not understand artificial intelligence and biotechnology, but they can sense that the future is passing them by.

Morality doesn’t mean “following divine commands.” It means “reducing suffering.” Therefore in order to act morally, you don’t need to believe in any myth or story.

Total annihilation has a way of sharpening people’s minds.

In the beginning, the liberal story cared mainly about the liberties and privileges of middle-class European men and seemed blind to the plight of working-class people, women, minorities, and non-Westerners.