Thomas Paine

"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right."

"'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit."

"An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot."

"Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true."

"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man."

"Every religion is good that teaches man to be good; and I know of none that instructs him to be bad."

"Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles; he can only discover them."

"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one."

"He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third."

"Human nature is not of itself vicious."

"I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy."

"I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace."

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."

"Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities."

"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good."

"Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst."

"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law."

"Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society."

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

"The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection."

"These are the times that try men's souls."

"When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon."