It was the full conviction of this, and of what could be done, if every man were placed in the office for which he was fitted by nature and a proper education, which first suggested to me the plan of Illumination.

The hankering of the mind is irresistible.

When man lives under government, he is fallen, his worth is gone, and his nature tarnished.

It is necessary to gain the common people to our order. The best means to that end is influence in the schools.

My general plan is good, though in the detail there may be faults.

For the Order wishes to be secret and to work in silence; for thus it is better secured from the oppression of the ruling powers, and because this secrecy gives a greater zest to the whole.

I am proud to be known to the world as the founder of the Illuminati.