I have no reverence for any book that teaches a doctrine contrary to my reason; no reverence for any book that teaches a doctrine contrary to my heart; and, no matter how old it is, no matter how many have believed it, no matter how many have died on account of it, no matter how many live for it, I have no reverence for that book, and I am glad of it.

If we are immortal it is a fact in nature, and we are not indebted to priests for it, nor to bibles for it, and it cannot be destroyed by unbelief.

For the most part we inherit our opinions. We are the heirs of habits and mental customs. Our beliefs, like the fashion of our garments, depend on where we were born. We are molded and fashioned by our surroundings.

Nothing could be more dangerous to the existence of this Republic than to introduce religion into politics

He who treats his friends and enemies alike, has neither love nor justice.

Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit tenant for the mind of an honest man.

It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had the individuality enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions.