Robert Green Ingersoll
Robert Green Ingersoll
Robert Green "Bob" Ingersollwas an American lawyer, a Civil War veteran, political leader, and orator of the United States during the Golden Age of Free Thought, noted for his broad range of culture and his defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed "The Great Agnostic"...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionLawyer
Date of Birth11 August 1833
CountryUnited States of America
mother men liberty
There will never be a generation of great men until there has been a generation of free women - of free mothers.
atheist wall light
When I became convinced that the universe is natural, that all the ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain, into my soul, into every drop of my blood the sense, the feeling, the joy of freedom. The walls of my prison crumbled and fell. The dungeon was flooded with light and all the bolts and bars and manacles became dust.
helping-others helping lifting-others
We rise by lifting others.
country wisdom mistake
Most men are followers, and implicitly rely upon the judgment of others. They mistake solemnity for wisdom, and regard a grave countenance as the title page and Preface to a most learned volume. So they are easily imposed upon by forms, strange garments, and solemn ceremonies. And when the teaching of parents, the customs of neighbors, and the general tongue approve and justify a belief or creed, no matter how absurd, it is hard even for the strongest to hold the citadel of his soul. In each country, in defence of each religion, the same arguments would be urged.
respect rights giving
Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself.
men doubt mind
I will not attack your doctrines nor your creeds if they accord liberty to me. If they hold thought to be dangerous - if they aver that doubt is a crime, then I attack them one and all, because they enslave the minds of men.
revenge heart men
The myth of hell represents all the meanness, all the revenge, all the selfishness, all the cruelty, all the hatred, all the infamy of which the heart of man is capable.
inspirational positive sports
The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.
religion atheism world
Do you not know that every religion in the world has declared every other religion a fraud? Yes, we all know it. That is the time all religions tell the truth - each of the other.
inspirational happiness depression
Happiness is not a reward - it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment - it is a result.
men religion intellectual
The intellectual advancement of man depends on how often he can exchange an old superstition for a new truth.
philosophy dark clouds
All I have to say is, Love one another - that is the height of all philosophy. It is beyond all religions. It is the secret of joy - the fountain of Perpetual Youth - the only rainbow on life's dark cloud.
religion atheism slavery
Religion can never reform mankind because religion is slavery.
men judging prejudice
We must remember that we have to make judges out of men, and that by being made judges their prejudices are not diminished and their intelligence is not increased.