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.

Quote by Thomas Paine

Topics: Thomas Paine Quotes

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives...

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives...

Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness.

Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we...

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we...

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

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

If a God, he could not suffer death, for immortality cannot die, and as a...

If a God, he could not suffer death, for immortality cannot die, and as a...

Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is...

Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is...

It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself....

It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself....

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is no more derogatory...

Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is no more derogatory...

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

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

One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings is,...

One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings is,...

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that...

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that...

But there is not a passage in the Old Testament that speaks of a person,...

But there is not a passage in the Old Testament that speaks of a person,...

He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of...

He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of...

The Bible is such a book of lies and contradictions there is no knowing which...

The Bible is such a book of lies and contradictions there is no knowing which...

It is far better that we admitted a thousand devils to roam at large than...

It is far better that we admitted a thousand devils to roam at large than...

And this manner of speaking of the Almighty, as one would speak of a man,...

And this manner of speaking of the Almighty, as one would speak of a man,...

For my own part, my belief in the perfection of the Deity will not permit...

For my own part, my belief in the perfection of the Deity will not permit...

You better believe there will be times in your life when you'll be feeling like...

You better believe there will be times in your life when you'll be feeling like...

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside...

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside...

Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views...

Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views...

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some...

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some...