It is like most other ancient books - a mingling of falsehood and truth, of philosophy and folly - all written by men, and most of the men only partially civilized. Some of its laws are good - some infinitely barbarous. None of the miracles related were performed. . . . Take out the absurdities, the miracles, all that pertains to the supernatural - all the cruel and barbaric laws - and to the remainder I have no objection. Neither would I have for it any great admiration.

Give any orthodox church the power, and to-day they would punish heresy with whip, and chain, and fire. As long as a church deems a certain belief essential to salvation, just so long it will kill and burn if it has the power.

Labor is the only prayer that Nature answers: It is the only prayer that deserves an answer—good, honest, noble work.

There are treasures in books that all the money in the world cannot buy, but the poorest laborer can have for nothing.

The man who accepts opinions because they have been entertained by distinguished people, is a mental snob.

Sacred are the lips from which has issued only truth.

Prayer is of no avail. The lightning falls on the just and the unjust in accordance with natural laws.