Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings - always darker, emptier and simpler.

Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings - always darker, emptier and simpler.

Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its read more

Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples.

We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples.

Fortunately for themselves and for the world, nearly all men are cowards and dare not act on what they believe. read more

Fortunately for themselves and for the world, nearly all men are cowards and dare not act on what they believe. Nearly all our disasters come of a few fools having the "courage of their convictions.".

In isolated societies creeds can be preserved. It is where people of different traditions, outlook and creeds mingle freely and read more

In isolated societies creeds can be preserved. It is where people of different traditions, outlook and creeds mingle freely and exchange ideas that religious beliefs begin to be eroded. No one changes his beliefs without some instigation, some novel experience, some modification of the customary course of things, and in a closed society people believe what all their fellows obviously believe. Only when they are brought into contact with persons whom they respect holding different views do they begin to look at their inherited beliefs critically.

An eye for an eye only leads to more blindness.

An eye for an eye only leads to more blindness.

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may read more

The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may be called "sciences as one would." For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections color and infect the understanding.

For men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.

For men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.