Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will not investigate, and if you think it wrong, the church will investigate you.

The idea that there is a God who rewards and punishes, and who can reward, if he so wishes, the meanest and vilest of the human race, so that he will be eternally happy, and can punish the best of the human race, so that he will be eternally miserable, is subversive of all morality.

We all know that men in moderate circumstances can have just as comfortable houses as the richest, just as comfortable clothing, just as good food. They can see just as fine paintings, just as marvelous statues, and they can hear just as good music. They can attend the same theaters and the same operas. They can enjoy the same sunshine, and above all, can love and be loved just as well as kings and millionaires.

The object of all education should be to increase the usefulness of man - usefulness to himself and others.

The combined wisdom and genius of all mankind cannot possibly conceive of an argument against liberty of thought.

The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself.

Superstition is, always has been, and forever will be, the foe of progress, the enemy of education and the assassin of freedom.