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.

There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

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.

We have it in our power to begin the world over again.

Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.

Time makes more converts than reason.

It is the direction and not the magnitude which is to be taken into consideration.

The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.

But such is the irresistable nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants is the liberty of appearing.

My mind is my own church.

Every religion is good that teaches man to be good; and I know of none that instructs him to be bad.

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 whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum.

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.

Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities.

My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.

Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true.

Virtues are acquired through endeavor, Which rests wholly upon yourself. So, to praise others for their virtues Can but encourage one's own efforts.

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.

One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you are abed. If you pull it upon your shoulders, your feet are left bare; if you thrust it down to your feet, your shoulders are uncovered.

These are the times that try men's souls.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

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.

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.

War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen circumstances that no human wisdom can calculate the end; it has but one thing certain, and that is to increase taxes.

Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.

Human nature is not of itself vicious.

We can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities.

He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.

Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

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.

An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.

The Vatican is a dagger in the heart of Italy.

The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same.

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.

Character is much easier kept than recovered.