“Offerings to propitiate the dead then were regarded as belonging to the class of funeral sacrifices, and these are idolatry. Idolatry, in fact, is a sort of homage to the departed, the one as well as the other is a service to dead men. Moreover, demons dwell in the images of the dead. ... this sort of exhibition has passed from honors of the dead to honors of the living; I mean, to quaestorships [financial overseers]and magistractes, to priestly offices of different kinds. Yet, since idolatry still cleaves to the dignity's name, whatever is done in its name partakes of its impurity.”
Quote by Tertullian

TertullianTertullian, born around 160 and died around 220, was a prominent Christian theologian, philosopher, and author during the Roman Empire. His works had a profound impact on the development of Christian theology, especially his writings such as 'Apology' and 'On the Resurrection', which are still widely studied today. more
“[Hermogenes] despises God's law in his painting, maintains repeated marriages [almost certainly a reference to remarrying after divorce or perhaps even widowhood, which Tertullian, who became a Montanist, opposed], alleges the law of God in defense of lust [likely same reference], and yet despises it in respect of his art.”
“If they are good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa or Europe; they may be Mahometans, Jews or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists.”
“Instilling a sense of self-discipline and focus when the kids are younger makes it so much easier by the time they get into high school.”
“Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army, which above all things should be avoided, and in many instances would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess.”
Source: Official Letters to the Honorable American Congress,: Written, During the War Between the United Colonies and Great Britain, by His Excellency, George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces, Now President of the United States
“Government being, among other purposes, instituted to protect the consciences of men from oppression, it certainly is the duty of Rulers, not only to abstain from it themselves, but according to their stations, to prevent it in others.”
Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts; with a Life of the Author, Notes, and Illustrations
“Wit in conversation is only a readiness of thought and a facility of expression, or a quick conception and an easy delivery.”
Source: The works of Alexander Pope. With a selection of explanatory notes, and the account of his life by dr. Johnson
“The doctrine of human equality reposes on this: that there is no man really clever who has not found that he is stupid.”
“Wit is as infinite as love, and a deal more lasting in its qualities.”
Source: Points of View
“An ounce of prudence is worth a pound of cleverness.”
“I have ever thought so superstitiously of wit, that I fear I have committed idolatry against wisdom.”
Source: John Lyly 'Euphues: the Anatomy of Wit' and 'Euphues and His England': An Annotated, Modern-Spelling Edition