“A little philosophy makes a man an Atheist: a great deal converts him to religion”

“I count religion but a childish toy, and hold there is no sin but ignorance.”

“If God were suddenly condemned to live the life which He has inflicted upon men, He would kill Himself.”

“Religion is based ... mainly upon fear ... fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand. My own view on religion is that of Lucretius. I regard it as a disease born of fear and as a source of untold misery to the human race.”

“Je puis nier une chose sans me croire obligé de la salir ou de retirer aux autres le droit d'y croire.”

“A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.”

“All knowledge degenerates into probability.”