Ignorance worships mystery; reason explains it; the one grovels, the other soars.

There is something tenderly appropriate in the serene death of the old. Nothing is more touching than the death of the young, the strong.

Darwin has done more to change human thought than all the priests who have existed.

Every cradle asks us, Whence? and every coffin, Whither? The poor barbarian, weeping above his dead, can answer these questions as intelligently as the robed priest of the most authentic creed.

My objection to Christianity is that it is infinitely cruel, infinitely selfish, and, I might add, infinitely absurd.

An infinite God ought to be able to protect himself, without going in partnership with State Legislatures. Certainly he ought not so to act that laws become necessary to keep him from being laughed at. No one thinks of protecting Shakespeare from ridicule, by the threat of fine and imprisonment.

I would rather be a beggar and spend my money like a king, than be a king and spend money like a beggar.