God has been so lavish in his gifts that you can lose some priceless ones, the equivalent of whole kingdoms, read more

God has been so lavish in his gifts that you can lose some priceless ones, the equivalent of whole kingdoms, and still be indecently rich,.

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.

If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves read more

If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.

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.

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the read more

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.

The hatred of those who are near to us is most violent.

The hatred of those who are near to us is most violent.

So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.

So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.

All religions must be tolerated, for every man must get to heaven in his own way.

All religions must be tolerated, for every man must get to heaven in his own way.

Pray to God, but hammer away.

Pray to God, but hammer away.