H-K Quotes

David Hume
(1711-1776) Scottish philosopher, leading exponent of 18th century empiricism (particularly the branch known as phenomenalism)

"Habit may lead us to belief and expectation but not to the knowledge, and still less to the understanding, of lawful relations." as quoted in Einstein, History, and Other Passions, p. 200

Robert Ingersoll
(1833-1899) known as The Great Agnostic/prominent lawyer and statesman/colonel in the American Civil War

"My objection to Christianity is that it is infinitely cruel, infinitely selfish, and, I might add, infinitely absurd."

"Honest men do not pretend to know; they are candid and sincere; they love the truth; they admit their ignorance, and they say, "We do not know." Superstition

"Hands that help are better far than lips that pray."

"With soap, baptism is a good thing."

"Christianity has such a contemptible opinion of human nature that it does not believe a man can tell the truth unless frightened by a belief in god. No lower opinion of the human race has ever been expressed." on the practice of not allowing non-christians to testify in court

Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826) American political leader/strong believer in religious freedom

"The Christian god can be easily pictured as virtually the same as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of the people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites." in a letter to his nephew, Peter Carr

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of God; because if there be one, He must approve the homage of Reason rather than that of blindfolded Fear." Letter to Peter Carr, Aug. 10, 1787

"I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."

"On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have been quarreling, fighting, burning and torturing one another, for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and to all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind." Thomas Jefferson, to Carey, 1816

"Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong." "Writings," vol. ii