.... we are a part of nature as a whole, whose order we follow.

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

In regard to intellect and true virtue, every nation is on a par with the rest, and God has not in these respects chosen one people rather than another.

The holy word of God is on everyone's lips...but...we see almost everyone presenting their own versions of God's word, with the sole purpose of using religion as a pretext for making others think as they do.

Freedom is absolutely necessary for the progress in science and the liberal arts.

In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth.

If we conceive that anyone loves, desires, or hates anything which we ourselves love, desire, or hate, we shall thereupon regard the thing in question with more steadfast love, etc. On the contrary, if we think that anyone shrinks from something that we love, we shall undergo vacillation of the soul.