When I hear that a man is religious, I conclude he is a rascal!

There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.

The simplest and most obvious cause which can there be assigned for any phenomena, is probably the true one.

Avarice, or the desire of gain, is a universal passion which operates at all times, at all places, and upon all persons.

The ages of greatest public spirit are not always eminent for private virtue.

I shall venture to affirm, that there never was a popular religion, which represented the state of departed souls in such a light,as would render it eligible for human kind, that there should be such a state. These fine models of religion are the mere product of philosophy. For as death lies between the eye and the prospect of futurity, that event is so shocking to nature, that it must throw a gloom on all the regions which lie beyond it; and suggest to the generality of mankind the idea of Cerberus and Furies; devils, and torrents of fire and brimstone.

That the sun shines tomorrow is a judgement that is as true as the contrary judgement.