Top 78 Quotes & Sayings by A. J. Jacobs - Page 2

I have little shame, no dignity – all in the name of a better cause.

When I was with the serpent-handlers in Tennessee, it was the most bizarre method of worship I could think of. Yet when you sit with these people, you can kind of see how it makes sense.

How do you gag the voice in your head that says, 'You don't have to [do it] today. There's always tomorrow.'?

It's a different way of looking at the world. Your life isn't about rights. It's about responsibilities."--Mr Bill Berkowitz

Jealousy is a useless, time-wasting emotion that's eating me alive.

I found there were things about religion that I really loved; things like the sense of gratefulness that it brings.

I find placebos uplifting and exhilarating. It means that taking action--no matter what the action is--might help you feel better.

Since I was relatively new to the Bible, I was surprised by the Old Testament God. He's wrathful, but at other times, He's incredibly compassionate. He's not a one-dimensional figure at all.

I don't believe that prayers actually change God's mind - if there is a God - but I liked praying for people in need. It was like moral weightlifting. I tend to be self-obsessed, and it was nice to get out of my brain once in a while.

In trying to avoid one sin I've committed another.

I got a sense of the amazingness of ordinary life, and I became aware of the marvel that we're around to begin with. I visited a lot of extreme communities, like the Amish, Hasidic Jews, and serpent-handlers. And I was proud, because I think I'm the first person to ever out-Bible-talk a Jehovah's Witness. After four hours, he said, "Okay, I have to go."

Sometimes miracles occur only when you jump in.

I thought religion would eventually wither away and we'd all be worshiping at the altar of science.

Paintings! They're like TV, but they don't move.

One of the interesting things to me is that God grows throughout the Old Testament. He evolves, sort of matures, and becomes kinder.

I've rarely said the word "Lord," unless it's followed by "of the Rings.

I'm all for cafeteria religion. I think there's nothing wrong with cafeterias - I've had some great meals at cafeterias. I've also had some horrible meals, so it's important to pick the right things. Take a heaping helping of compassion and mercy, and leave the intolerance on the table.

I’m not a fan of ‘write what you know.’ If you don’t know, find out. I knew nothing about the Bible before I started writing ‘The Year of Living Biblically.’ That was kind of the point – to learn.