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

It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.
Thomas Paine

It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.
Thomas Paine

It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe.
Thomas Paine

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same.
Thomas Paine

It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes.
Thomas Paine

It is the direction and not the magnitude which is to be taken into consideration.
Thomas Paine

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
Thomas Paine

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
Thomas Paine

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

My mind is my own church.
Thomas Paine

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

One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.
Thomas Paine

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

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
Thomas Paine

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
Thomas Paine

Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.
Thomas Paine

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

That God cannot lie, is no advantage to your argument, because it is no proof that priests can not, or that the Bible does not.
Thomas Paine

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.
Thomas Paine