Theology amuses me so. In it we see human insanity at its fullest. [Optimism] is an obsession with saying 'All is well' even when one is in Hell.

The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost the power of reasoning.

Sect and error are synonymous.

If there were no God, it would have been necessary to invent him.

Such is the feebleness of humanity, such is its perversity, that doubtless it is better for it to be subject to all possible superstitions, as long as they are not murderous, than to live without religion.

The first clergyman was the first rascal who met the first fool.

The Bible. That is what fools have written, what imbeciles commend, what rogues teach and young children are made to learn by heart.

In all the disputes which have excited Christians against each other, Rome has invariably decided in favor of that opinion which tended most towards the suppression of the human intellect and the annihilation of the reasoning powers.

Our priests are not what a silly populace supposes; all their learning consists in our credulity.