I have only one doctrine, the infinitude of the private man.

Be not the slave of your own past - plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far.

Good churches are not built by bad men; at least, there must be probity and enthusiasm somewhere in the society. These minsters were neither built nor filled by atheists.

Men do what is called a good action, as some piece of courage or charity, much as they would pay a fine in expiation of daily non-appearance on parade. Their works are done as an apology or extenuation of their living in the world. I do not wish to expiate, but to live. My life is not an apology, but a life.

Wherever a man commits a crime, God finds a witness. Every secret crime has its reporter.

We animate what we can see, and we see only what we animate.

Character is always known. Thefts never enrich; alms never impoverish; murder will speak out of stone walls.