The present is the necessary product of all the past, the necessary cause of all the future.

Memory is the miser of the mind; forgetfulness the spendthrift.

The Church has always been willing to swap off treasures in heaven for cash down.

Give me the storm and tempest of thought and action, rather than the dead calm of ignorance and faith! Banish me from Eden when you will; but first let me eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge!

Religion has not civilized man, man has civilized religion.

the inventor of the plow did more good than the maker of the first rosary - because, say what you will, plowing is better than praying.

If I go to heaven I want to take my reason with me.