I believe that a triangle, if it could speak, would say that God is eminently triangular, and a circle that the divine nature is eminently circular; and thus would every one ascribe his own attributes to God.

I make this chief distinction between religion and superstition, that the latter is founded on ignorance, the former on knowledge.

None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the first and are not.

Those who are believed to be most abject and humble are usually most ambitious and envious.

The safest way for a state is to lay down the rule that religion is comprised solely in the exercise of charity and justice, and that the rights of rulers in sacred, no less than in secular matters, should merely have to do with actions, but that every man should think what he likes and say what he thinks.

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.

I have resolved to demonstrate by a certain and undoubted course of argument, or to deduce from the very condition of human nature, not what is new and unheard of, but only such things as agree best with practice.