On the whole we must repeat the often repeated saying, that it is
unworthy a religious man to view read more

On the whole we must repeat the often repeated saying, that it is
unworthy a religious man to view an irreligious one either with
alarm or aversion; or with any other feeling than regret, and
hope, and brotherly commiseration.

The problem with writing about religion is that you run the risk of offending sincerely religious people, and then they read more

The problem with writing about religion is that you run the risk of offending sincerely religious people, and then they come after you with machetes.

Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. read more

Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.

Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion read more

Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic.

Obscenity is in the crotch of the beholder.

Obscenity is in the crotch of the beholder.

Can such bitterness enter into the heart of the devout?
[Fr., Tant de fiel entre-t-il dans l'ame des devots?]

Can such bitterness enter into the heart of the devout?
[Fr., Tant de fiel entre-t-il dans l'ame des devots?]

Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins.

Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins.

Ah! How neatly tied, in these people, is the umbilical cord of morality! Since they left their mothers they have read more

Ah! How neatly tied, in these people, is the umbilical cord of morality! Since they left their mothers they have never sinned, have they? They are apostles, they are the descendants of priests; one can only wonder from what source they draw their indignation, and above all how much they have pocketed to do this, and in any case what it has done for them.

The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you read more

The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.