If this is the best of possible worlds, what then are the others?

The monster, fanaticism, still exists, and whoever seeks after truth will run the risk of being persecuted.

We offer up prayers to god only because we have made him after our own image. We treat him like a pasha, or a sultan, who is capable of being exasperated and appeased.

Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage is some weeks the more ancient.

What is faith? Is it to believe that which is evident? No. It is perfectly evident to my mind that there exists a necessary, eternal, supreme, and intelligent being. This is no matter of faith, but of reason.

But there must be some pleasure in condemning everything--in perceiving faults where others think they see beauties.' 'You mean there is pleasure in having no pleasure.

Religion may be purified. This great work was begun two hundred years ago: but men can only bear light to come in upon them by degrees.