From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not read more

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.

If you think practicing what you preach is rough, just try preaching what you practice.

If you think practicing what you preach is rough, just try preaching what you practice.

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.

Treat others as thou wouldn't be treated. What thou likest not for thyself, dispense not to others.

Treat others as thou wouldn't be treated. What thou likest not for thyself, dispense not to others.

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the read more

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the time.

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.

Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness.

Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness.

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.'.

If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon Creation, I should have recommended something simpler.

If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon Creation, I should have recommended something simpler.