The word heretic ought to be a term of honour.

I know not what you mean by God; the word God is to me a sound conveying no clear or distinct affirmation.

The abuse dies in a day; but the denial slays the life of the people and entombs the hope of the race.

The atheist does not say 'there is no God,' but he says 'I know not what you mean by God; I am without idea of God'; the word 'God' is to me a sound conveying no clear or distinct affirmation. ... The Bible God I deny; the Christian God I disbelieve in; but I am not rash enough to say there is no God as long as you tell me you are unprepared to define God to me.

Will any one, save the most bigoted, contend, that it is not certain gain to humanity to spread unbelief in the terrible doctrine that eternal torment is the probable fate of the great majority of the human family?

If when I am libelled I take no notice, the world believes the libel. If I sue, I have to pay about one hundred pounds' costs for the privilege, and gain the smallest coin the country knows for recompense.

[That] my body be buried as cheaply as possible and no speeches be permitted at my funeral.