Man's most valuable trait Is a judicious sense of what not to believe.

Man's most valuable trait Is a judicious sense of what not to believe.

I always divide people into two groups. Those who live by what they know to be a lie, and those read more

I always divide people into two groups. Those who live by what they know to be a lie, and those who live by what they believe, falsely, to be the truth.

It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within read more

It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within him.

I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand read more

I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he read more

No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.

Faith is a continuation of reason.

Faith is a continuation of reason.

Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are read more

Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent read more

When we debunk a fanatical faith or prejudice, we do not strike at the root of fanaticism. We merely prevent its leaking out at a certain point, with the likely result that it will leak out at some other point. Thus by denigrating prevailing beliefs and loyalties, the militant man of words unwittingly creates in the disillusioned masses a hunger for faith. For the majority of people cannot endure the barrenness and futility of their lives unless they have some ardent dedication, or some passionate pursuit in which they can lose themselves. Thus, in spite of himself, the scoffing man of words becomes the precursor of a new faith.

In every country and every age, the priest has been hostile to Liberty.

In every country and every age, the priest has been hostile to Liberty.