Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting convictions, which move with him like flies on a summer day.

Official morality has always been oppressive and negative: it has said "thou shalt not," and has not troubled to investigate the effect of activities not forbidden by the code.

... the whole world of loneliness, poverty, and pain make a mockery of what human life should be.

To think I have spent my life on absolute muck.

This is one of those views which are so absolutely absurd that only very learned men could possibly adopt them.

If I were granted omnipotence, and millions of years to experiment in, I should not think Man much to boast of as the final result of all my efforts.

The Mormons had a divine revelation in favour of polygamy, but under pressure from the United States Government they discovered that the revelation was not binding.