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.

Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.

Our labour preserves us from three great evils -- weariness, vice, and want.

Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.

Nothing is so common as to imitate one's enemies, and to use their weapons.

History consists of a series of accumulated imaginative inventions.

Which is more dangerous: fanaticism or atheism? Fanaticism is certainly a thousand times more deadly; for atheism inspires no bloody passion whereas fanaticism does; atheism is opposed to crime and fanaticism causes crimes to be committed.