"There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice."

"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law."

"It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes."

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

"We exaggerate misfortune and happiness alike. We are never as bad off or as happy as we say we are."

"If you're happy, if you're feeling good, then nothing else matters."

"I had a wonderful mother who wanted my sister and me to have everything, even though money was a very prominent thing we didn't have. But we had a very happy childhood - pretty much ideal, in fact."

"Thus happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose."