All things are sold: the very light of heaven is venal; earth's unsparing gifts of love, the smallest and most despicable things that lurk in the abysses of the deep, all objects of our life, even life itself, and the poor pittance which the laws allow of liberty, the fellowship of man, those duties which his heart of human love should urge him to perform instinctively, are bought and sold as in a public mart of not disguising selfishness, that sets on each its price, the stamp-mark of her reign.

It is easier to suppose that the universe has existed for all eternity than to conceive a being beyond its limits capable of creating it.

The great instrument of moral good is the imagination.

But I am chained to Time, and cannot thence depart!

A Christian, a Deist, a Turk, and a Jew, have equal rights: they are men and brethren.

I consider poetry very subordinate to moral and political science.

If he is infinitely good, what reason should we have to fear him? If he is infinitely wise, what doubts should we have concerning our future? If he knows all, why warn him of our needs and fatigue him with our prayers? If he is everywhere, why erect temples to him? If he is just, why fear that he will punish the creatures that he has filled with weaknesses?