"Having seen how many follow and have followed false religions, and having our reason utterly against many of the principal points of the Bible, we require the most perfect evidence of facts, before we can believe. If you can prove to me that one miracle took place, I will believe that he is a just God who damned us all because a woman ate an apple; and you can't expect greater complaisance than that to be sure."

Edward FitzGerald (poet)Literature See all quotes by Edward FitzGerald (poet) →

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“I am all for the short and merry life.”

“Leave well — even 'pretty well' — alone: that is what I learn as I get old.”

“Science unrolls a greater epic than the Iliad. The present day teems with new discoveries in Fact, which are greater, as regards the soul and prospect of men, than all the disquisitions and quiddities of the Schoolmen. A few fossil bones in clay and limestone have opened a greater vista back into time than the Indian imagination ventured upon for its Gods: and every day turns up something new. This vision of Time must not only wither the poet's hope of immortality, it is in itself more wonderful than all the conceptions of Dante and Milton.”

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"“Why is it that in this day and age, human beings still butcher one another simply because they dared to belong to different religions, to speak different tongues, or belong to different races? Are hu…"

— Nelson Mandela

Politics1918–2013

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"Naturally I don't believe books and I don't believe teachers, but I do believe-it's important for me to believe you . Christ, I've got to believe you, at least. I know you better than anybody."

— John Knowles

Literature1926–2001

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"I took down my portfolio, to select a drawing to copy in oil. He had never seen my works before, and appeared astonished as his eyes ranged over the sheets. He expressed the warmest admiration, and sa…"

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Science1785–1851

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