My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only gods fashioned by men in their own image, to be servants of their human interests.

Nothing you can lose by dying is half as precious as the readiness to die, which is man's charter of nobility.

If a man really knew himself he would utterly despise the ignorant notions others might form on a subject in which he had such matchless opportunities for observation.

A sanctity hangs about the sources of our being, whether physical, social, or imaginary.

Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace.

The universe, as far as we can observe it, is a wonderful and immense engine.... If we dramatize its life and conceive its spirit, we are filled with wonder, terror and amusement, so magnificent is the spirit.

What is more important in life than our bodies or in the world than what we look like?