I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.

I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.

Destiny is but a phrase of the weak human heart - the dark apology for every error. The strong and read more

Destiny is but a phrase of the weak human heart - the dark apology for every error. The strong and virtuous admit no destiny. On earth conscience guides; in heaven God watches. And destiny is but the phantom we invoke to silence the one and dethrone the other.

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.

The beauty of religious mania is that it has the power to explain everything. Once God (or Satan) is accepted read more

The beauty of religious mania is that it has the power to explain everything. Once God (or Satan) is accepted as the first cause of everything which happens in the mortal world, nothing is left to chance...logic can be happily tossed out the window.

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

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.

Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't read more

Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything.

There are three things that can destroy a preacher, the glory, the gold, and the girls.

There are three things that can destroy a preacher, the glory, the gold, and the girls.

The Bible is literature, not dogma.

The Bible is literature, not dogma.