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.

At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and read more

At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and a version of history. To human nature (of the sort conceived), in a universe (of the kind imagined), after a history (so understood), the rules of the code apply.

Rob the average man of his life-illusion, and you rob him of his happiness at the same stroke.

Rob the average man of his life-illusion, and you rob him of his happiness at the same stroke.

All things are inconstant except the faith in the soul, which changes all things and fills their inconstancy with light, read more

All things are inconstant except the faith in the soul, which changes all things and fills their inconstancy with light, but though I seem to be driven out of my country as a misbeliever I have found no man yet with a faith like mine.

The Bible and the Church have been the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of women's emancipation.

The Bible and the Church have been the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of women's emancipation.

The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.

The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.

Agnosticism is the philosophical, ethical and religious dry-rot of the modern world.

Agnosticism is the philosophical, ethical and religious dry-rot of the modern world.

The fewer words the better prayer.

The fewer words the better prayer.

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.