Temptations are as thick as the leaves of the forest, and no one can be out of the reach of temptation unless he is dead. The great thing is to make people intelligent enough and strong enough, not to keep away from temptation, but to resist it.

No man of sense in the whole world believes in devils any more than he does in mermaids, vampires, gorgons, hydras, naiads, dryads, nymphs, fairies, the Fountain of Youth, [or] the Philosopher's Stone. . . .

There is the same difference between talent and genius that there is between a stone mason and a sculptor

It is grander to think and investigate for yourself than to repeat a creed.

The most important thing in this world is liberty. More important than food or clothes - more important than gold or houses or lands - more important than art or science - more important than all religions, is the liberty of man.

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

If nobody has too much, everybody will have enough.