Science built the Academy, superstition the Inquisition.

There is no slavery but ignorance.

Christianity has such a contemptible opinion of human nature that it does not believe a man can tell the truth unless frightened by a belief in god. No lower opinion of the human race has ever been expressed.

Many people think they have religion when they are troubled with dyspepsia.

Music was born of love. Had there never been any human affection, there never could have been uttered a strain of music.

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

Abraham Lincoln was, in my judgment, in many respects, the grandest man ever President of the United States. Upon his monument these words should be written: "Here sleeps the only man in the history of the world who, having been clothed with almost absolute power, never abused it, except upon the side of mercy."