It's not just about a coach telling you what to do and just following it unthinkingly.
[priests are] the pretenders to power and dominion, and to a superior sanctity of character, distinct from virtue and good morals.
No quality of human nature is more remarkable, both in itself and in its consequences, than that propensity we have to sympathize with others, and to receive by communication their inclinations and sentiments, however different from, or even contrary to our own.
The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny; flattery to treachery; standing armies to arbitrary government; and the glory of God to the temporal interest of the clergy.
No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish.
Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance, are the true sources of superstition. Hope, pride, presumption, a warm indignation, together with ignorance, are the true sources of enthusiasm.
Liberty of thinking, and of expressing our thoughts, is always fatal to priestly power, and to those pious frauds on which it is commonly founded.
He taught people with his best way. He showed his beauty. He was all good so peace be on him and his family.
It make one's mouth hurt to speak with such forced merriment.
Imperfection is an end. Perfection is only an aim.
I cherish my privacy, and woe betide anyone who tries to interfere with that.