For centuries, the mystics of spirit had existed by running a protection racket - by making life on earth unbearable, then charging you for consolation and relief, by forbidding all the virtues that make existence possible, then riding on the shoulders of your guilt, by declaring production and joy to be sins, then collecting blackmail from the sinners.

The genius must have his freedom and his independence.

America's founding Ideal was the principle of individual rights. Nothing more - and nothing less.

Nobody has ever given a reason why men should be their brother's keepers.

I am an intransigent atheist, though not a militant one. This means that I am not fighting against religion - I am fighting for reason.

Self respect is something that can't be killed. The worst thing is to kill a man's pretense at it.

Happiness is not to be achieved at the command of emotional whims.