Destiny is but a phrase of the weak human heart - the dark apology for every error. The strong and read more

Destiny is but a phrase of the weak human heart - the dark apology for every error. The strong and virtuous admit no destiny. On earth conscience guides; in heaven God watches. And destiny is but the phantom we invoke to silence the one and dethrone the other.

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is read more

In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is usually embraced with vehemence and extremism, for we have to convince ourselves that what we took as second choice is the best there ever was. Thus blind faith is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves; insatiable desire a substitute for hope; accumulation a substitute for growth; fervent hustling a substitute for purposeful action; and pride a substitute for an unattainable self-respect.

Sermons remain one of the last forms of public discourse where it is culturally forbidden to talk back.

Sermons remain one of the last forms of public discourse where it is culturally forbidden to talk back.

Every man, either to his terror or consolation, has some sense of religion.

Every man, either to his terror or consolation, has some sense of religion.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

A lot of people say to me, "Why did you kill Christ?" "I dunno... it was one of those parties, read more

A lot of people say to me, "Why did you kill Christ?" "I dunno... it was one of those parties, got out of hand, you know." "We killed him because he didn't want to become a doctor, that's why we killed him.".

The seed of God is in us. Given an intelligent and hard-working farmer, it will thrive and grow up to read more

The seed of God is in us. Given an intelligent and hard-working farmer, it will thrive and grow up to God, whose seed it is; and accordingly its fruits will be God-nature. Pear seeds grow into pear trees, nut seeds into nut trees, and God-seed into God.

Science has done more for the development of western civilization in one hundred years than Christianity did in eighteen hundred read more

Science has done more for the development of western civilization in one hundred years than Christianity did in eighteen hundred years.

A devotee who can call on God while living a householder's life is a hero indeed. God thinks: 'He is read more

A devotee who can call on God while living a householder's life is a hero indeed. God thinks: 'He is blessed indeed who prays to me in the midst of his worldly duties. He is trying to find me, overcoming a great obstacle -- pushing away, as it were, a huge block of stone weighing a ton. Such a man is a real hero.'.