My principal objections to orthodox religion are two: slavery here and hell hereafter.

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

I hate above all things a cross man. What right has he to murder the sunshine of a day? What right has he to assassinate the Joy of life? When you go home, you ought to go like a ray of light-so that it will, even in the night, burst out of the doors and windows and illuminate the darkness.

Commerce is the great civilizer. We exchange ideas when we exchange fabrics.

It is labor that has made the world a fit habitation for the human race.

In the presence of death I affirm and reaffirm the truth of all that I have said against the superstitions of the world. I would say that much on the subject with my last breath.

God cannot send to eternal pain a man who has done something toward improving the condition of his fellow-man. If he can, I had rather go to hell than to heaven and keep company with such a god.