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The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll

Book by Robert Green Ingersoll · 24 quotes · Men, Atheism, Ifs

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The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll Quotes

“The mechanic, when a wheel refuses to turn, never thinks of dropping on his knees and asking the assistance of some divine power. He knows there is a reason. He knows that something is too large or too small; that there is something wrong with his machine; and he goes to work and he makes it larger or smaller, here or there, until the wheel will turn.”

ThinkingKnowsReasonTurnsAtheismDivineMachinesAskingRefusePositive AtheismKneesWheelsAssistanceMechanicDroppingDivine Power
Book:The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll
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“Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except upon the side of mercy.”

PeopleIfsKnowsMenGivingRealCharacterUseWishEasySidesBearsGloryWeakTestsMercyAbsolutesAdversitySupremeGentleAbsolute PowerReal CharacterUse Of Power
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“Every church pretends to have found the exact truth. This is the end of progress. Why pursue that which you have? Why investigate when you know? Every creed is a rock in running water: humanity sweeps by it. Every creed cries to the universe, "Halt!" A creed is the ignorant Past bullying the enlightened Present. The ignorant are not satisfied with what can be demonstrated. Science is too slow for them, and so they invent creeds. They demand completeness. A sublime segment, a grand fragment, are of no value to them. They demand the complete circle... the entire structure.”

KnowsEndsRunningPastValuesHumanityUniverseFoundWaterChurchProgressRocksCryDemandStructureCirclesSatisfiedIgnorantPursueEnlightenedBullyingCreedsSublimeFragmentsHaltCompletenessRunning Water
Book:The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll
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“Not one of the orthodox ministers dare preach what he thinks if he knows a majority of his congregation think otherwise. He knows that every member of his church stands guard over his brain with a creed, like a club, in his hand. He knows that he is not expected to search after the truth, but that he is employed to defend the creed. Every pulpit is a pillory, in which stands a hired culprit, defending the justice of his own imprisonment.”

IfsThinkingKnowsHandsChurchJusticeBrainMembersMajorityDareClubsExpectedMinistersOrthodoxCreedsEmployedImprisonmentCongregationPulpitCulprit
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“I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it - loyalty to our duty as we know it - loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart - is, to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any particular man or God. . . .”

KnowsMenLifeMindBelieveHeartI BelieveBrainGreaterParticularDutyIdealsLoyaltyPerceiveGod LifeHeart And Brain
Book:The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll
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