Virtues are acquired through endeavor, Which rests wholly upon yourself. So, to praise others for their virtues Can but encourage one's own efforts.

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.

He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

[A]ll churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, are simply human inventions. They use fear to enslave us. They are a monopoly for power and profit.

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

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

Religion is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.

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

A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.

We are tyrannized by our options.

The first step towards madness is to think oneself wise.

Forgetful youth! but know, the Power above With ease can save each object of his love; Wide as his will extends his boundless grace.

Oh, I was never a very big Jim Woodring fan. I've never thought his work was that great.

I had learnt from experience that many false opinions may be exchanged for true ones, without in the least altering the habits of mind of which false opinions are made.

I've played comedy before but not that much. I mostly do get drawn to darker material.

The English public always feels perfectly at ease when a mediocrity is talking to it.

All my adult life, if I didn't have several hours a day to sit in a room by myself, I would get antsy and irritable.

Books are a triviality. Life alone is great.