I want no heaven for which I must give my reason; no happiness in exchange for my liberty, and no immortality that demands the surrender of my individuality. Better rot in the windowless tomb, to which there is no door but the red mouth of the pallid worm, than to wear the jeweled collar of a god.

Too much doubt is better than too much credulity.

Christianity has made more lunatics than it ever provided asylums for.

Music was born of love. Had there never been any human affection, there never could have been uttered a strain of music.

All religions are inconsistent with mental freedom. Shakespeare is my bible, Burns my hymn-book.

The minister asks, 'What right have you to hope? It is sacrilegious to you.' But, whether the clergy like it or not, I shall always express my real opinion, and shall always be glad to say to those who mourn: 'There is in death, as I believe, nothing worse than sleep. Hope for as much better as you can.'

Whoever saw an angel barefooted?