If we admit that some infinite being has controlled the destinies of persons and peoples, history becomes a most cruel and bloody farce.

As we become civilized we are governed less by persons and more by principles. . . . The best of all leaders is the man who teaches people to lead themselves.

No man with a sense of humor ever founded a religion.

And yet this same Deity says to me, resist not evil; pray for those that despitefully use you; love your enemies, but I will eternally damn mine. It seems to me that even gods should practice what they preach.

The history of the world shows that when a mean thing was done, man did it; when a good thing was done, man did it.

I would rather live and love where death is king than have eternal life where love is not.

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.