 All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. |
| The greatest remedy for anger is delay. Topics: Anger |
| The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum. |
| The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. |
| Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one. |
| That government is best which governs least. |
| He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. |
| Time makes more converts than reason. |
| Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst. |
| When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon. |
| Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. |
| 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. |
| Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles; he can only discover them. |
| He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third. |
| I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy. |
| The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security. |
| A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. |
| What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. |
| It is the direction and not the magnitude which is to be taken into consideration. |
| Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. |
