# Quotes about atheism

- Quotes: 45
- Authors: 34
- Broader topic: [Quotes about religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.json

## Quotes

> There is no God and we are his prophets.

[Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [The Road](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-road.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-road/there-is-no-god.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> While religion, contrary to the common notion, implies, in certain cases, a spirit of slow reserve as to assent, infidelity, which claims to despise credulity, is sometimes swift to it.

[Herman Melville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville.md) · [The Confidence-Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville/the-confidence-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville/the-confidence-man/while-religion-contrary.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Misanthropy, springing from the same root with disbelief of religion, is twin with that. It springs from the same root, I say; for, set aside materialism, and what is an atheist, but one who does not, or will not, see in the universe a ruling principle of love; and what a misanthrope, but one who does not, or will not, see in man a ruling principle of kindness? Don't you see? In either case the vice consists in a want of confidence.

[Herman Melville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville.md) · [The Confidence-Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville/the-confidence-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herman-melville/the-confidence-man/misanthropy-springing-from.md)

Topics: [trust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trust.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Ah, the bitter, hopeless heart-hunger of godlessness none but an atheist can understand! Nothing to live for in life--no hope beyond the grave.

[Miles Franklin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin.md) · [My Brilliant Career](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin/my-brilliant-career.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin/my-brilliant-career/ah-the-bitter.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> You’re like a priest who awakens one day and realizes that his god has been replaced by a cardboard cut-out, and he’s no longer able to ignore his own disbelief. And, like the priest, you’ve sacrificed all hope of a normal life on the altar of something you no longer believe in.

[Charles Stross](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross.md) · [Rule 34](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/rule-34.md) · p. 229 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/rule-34/youre-like-a-priest.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Not believing in anything is also a religion.

[Cesare Pavese](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cesare-pavese.md) · [The House on the Hill](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cesare-pavese/the-house-on-the-hill.md) · p. 139 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cesare-pavese/the-house-on-the-hill/not-believing-in-anything.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> “Perhaps God—if there is one—doesn’t care,” Burton said. “There is no evidence whatsoever that He does.”

[Philip José Farmer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer.md) · [The Magic Labyrinth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer/the-magic-labyrinth.md) · p. 339 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer/the-magic-labyrinth/perhaps-god-if-there.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> “Chay, you must be quiet now, and prepare to meet your maker.”
>
> “I had no maker. My maker was the universe, or my parents.”

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [Surface Detail](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/surface-detail.md) · p. 369 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/surface-detail/chay-you-must.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> There are no gods, we are told, so I must make my own salvation.

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [Use Of Weapons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/use-of-weapons.md) · p. 303 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/use-of-weapons/there-are-no-gods.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> It has often struck me with awe that some of the most deeply religious people I know have been, on the surface, atheists.

[Madeleine L’Engle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle.md) · [Walking on Water](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle/walking-on-water.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/madeleine-lengle/walking-on-water/it-has-often.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> My brother and I have, after many years, achieved our importance to each other as a difference. Because it is sometimes difficult for my brother to climb the steps to my apartment, he will often come by and we will sit in his car and talk. We quite enjoy one another’s company. My brother is no less a good man for not believing in God; and I am no better a man because I believe. It is simply that religion gives me a sense—no, not a sense, a reason, no, not exactly a reason, an understanding—that everyone matters.

[Richard Rodriguez](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-rodriguez.md) · [Darling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-rodriguez/darling.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-rodriguez/darling/my-brother-and.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [family](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/family.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> I tell you, Mr. Hunsden, you are a more unpractical man than I am an unpractical woman, for you don't acknowledge what really exists; you want to annihilate individual patriotism and national greatness as an atheist would annihilate God and his own soul, by denying their existence.

[Charlotte Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte.md) · [The Professor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor/i-tell-you.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md), [patriotism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patriotism.md)

> Black: Belief aint like unbelief. If you a believer then you got to come finally to a well of belief itself and then you dont have to look no further. There aint no further. But the unbeliever has got a problem. He has set out to unravel the world, but everything he can point to that aint true leaves two new things layin there. If God walked the earth when he got done makin it then when you get up in the mornin' you get to put your feet on a real floor and you dont have to worry about where it come from. But if he didnt then you got to come up with a whole other description of what you even mean by real. And you got to judge everything by that same light. If light is is. Includin yourself. One question fits all.

[Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [The Sunset Limited](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-sunset-limited.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-sunset-limited/black-belief-aint.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> The Koran! well, come put me to the test—
>
> Lovely old book in hideous error drest—
>
> Believe me, I can quote the Koran too,
>
> The unbeliever knows his Koran best. And do you think that unto such as you,
>
> A maggot-minded, starved, fanatic crew,
>
> God gave the secret, and denied it me?—
>
> Well, well, what matters it! believe that too.

[Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam.md) · [Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam.md) · p. 47 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam/the-koran-well.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [fanaticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fanaticism.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> “God bless you, suh, for what you done there.”
>
> “I don’t believe in God, anymore than I believe in Mother Goose,” Darrow said. “Foolish notion. But I do believe in justice, and you deserve that. Everyone deserves that.”

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [American Empire: Blood and Iron](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/american-empire-blood-and-iron.md) · p. 154 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/american-empire-blood-and-iron/god-bless-you.md)

Topics: [justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/justice.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> No one is so thoroughly superstitious as the godless man.

[Harriet Beecher-Stowe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harriet-beecher-stowe.md) · [Uncle Tom's Cabin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harriet-beecher-stowe/uncle-toms-cabin.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harriet-beecher-stowe/uncle-toms-cabin/no-one-is-so-thoroughly.md)

Topics: [superstitions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/superstitions.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> "It seems a cold world without something … more."
>
> "On the contrary," said Oromis, "it is a better world . A place where we are responsible for our own actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment. I won't tell you what to believe, Eragon. It is far better to be taught to think critically and then be allowed to make your own decisions than to have someone else's notions thrust upon you. You asked after our religion, and I have answered you true. Make of it what you will."

[Christopher Paolini](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-paolini.md) · [Eldest](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-paolini/eldest.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-paolini/eldest/it-seems-a-cold.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [responsibility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/responsibility.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> She glanced at him. “What gods do you respect?”
>
> “None.”
>
> “And why not?”
>
> “I help myself,” he said.

[Octavia E. Butler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler.md) · [Wild Seed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/wild-seed.md) · p. 20 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/wild-seed/she-glanced-at-him.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Atheism is not a philosophy - it is not even a view of the world. It is simply an admission of the obvious. In fact, "atheism" is a term that should not even exist. No one ever needs to identify himself as a "non-astrologer" or a "non-alchemist." We do not have words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive or that aliens have traversed the galaxy only to molest ranchers and their cattle. Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs.

[Sam Harris](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sam-harris.md) · [Letter to a Christian Nation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sam-harris/letter-to-a-christian-nation.md) · p. 51 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sam-harris/letter-to-a-christian-nation/atheism-is-not.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> To be an atheist is to maintain God. His existence or his nonexistence, it amounts to much the same, on the plane of proof. Thus proof is a word not often used among the Handdarata, who have chosen not to treat God as a fact, subject either to proof or to belief: and they have broken the circle, and go free.
>
> To learn which questions are unanswerable, and not to answer them: this skill is most needful in times of stress and darkness.

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 151 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/to-be-an-atheist.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> The experience was disagreeable. I began to feel like an atheist praying.

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 252 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/the-experience-was.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [prayer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/prayer.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> "Even if some details of dogma aren't true—or even all of 'em—think what a consolation religion and the church are to weak humanity!"
>
> "Are they? I wonder! Don't cheerful agnostics, who know they are going to die dead, worry much less than good Baptists, who worry lest their sons and cousins and sweethearts fail to get into the Baptist heaven—or what is even worse, who wonder if they may not have guessed wrong—if God may not be a Catholic, maybe, or a Mormon or Seventh-day Adventist instead of a Baptist, and then they'll go to hell themselves. Consolation? No!"

[Sinclair Lewis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis.md) · [Elmer Gantry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/elmer-gantry.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/elmer-gantry/even-if-some.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Like all ardent agnostics, Martin was a religious man. ~ Ch. 16

[Sinclair Lewis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis.md) · [Arrowsmith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/arrowsmith.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/arrowsmith/like-all-ardent.md)

Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> I think that if there were a God, there would be less evil on this earth. I believe that if evil exists here below, then either it was willed by God or it was beyond His powers to prevent it. Now I cannot bring myself to fear a God who is either spiteful or weak. I defy Him without fear and care not a fig for his thunderbolts.

[The Marquis de Sade](https://www.leafyquotes.com/the-marquis-de-sade.md) · [Justine](https://www.leafyquotes.com/the-marquis-de-sade/justine.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/the-marquis-de-sade/justine/i-think-that.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> The God I don't believe in is a good God, a just God, a merciful God. He's not the mean and stupid God you make him out to be.

[Joseph Heller](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller.md) · [Catch-22](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller/catch-22.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller/catch-22/the-god-i-dont.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Over the high school years, my belief in the likelihood of a God disappeared. I kept this to myself. I never discussed it with my parents. My father in any event was a nonpracticing Lutheran, until a deathbed conversion that rather disappointed me. I’m sure he agreed to it for my mother’s sake. Did I start calling myself an agnostic or an atheist? No, and I still don’t. I avoid that because I don’t want to provide a category that people can apply to me. Those who say that “believer” and “atheist” are concrete categories do violence to the mystery we must be humble enough to confess. I would not want my convictions reduced to a word.

[Roger Ebert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/roger-ebert.md) · [Life Itself](https://www.leafyquotes.com/roger-ebert/life-itself.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/roger-ebert/life-itself/over-the-high.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Among the repulsions of atheism for me has been its drastic uninterestingness as an intellectual position. Where was the ingenuity, the ambiguity, the humanity (in the Harvard sense) of saying that the universe just happened to happen and that when we’re dead we’re dead?

[John Hoyer Updike](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike.md) · [Self-Consciousness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/self-consciousness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/self-consciousness/among-the-repulsions.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> As a terrified, half-aware imbecile, I might even scream for a priest at the close of business, though I hereby state while I am still lucid that the entity thus humiliating itself would not in fact be "me." (Bear this in mind, in case of any later rumors or fabrications.)

[Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [Mortality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/mortality.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/mortality/as-a-terrified.md)

Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> If I convert it's because it's better that a believer dies than that an atheist does.

[Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [Mortality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/mortality.md) · p. 91 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/mortality/if-i-convert.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> If God were alive today, he would have to be an atheist, because the excrement has hit the air-conditioning big time, big time.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [A Man Without a Country](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/a-man-without-a-country.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/a-man-without-a-country/if-god-were.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Wishful thinking gives false gods to people who hunger for gods, but those who yearn for a world with no gods are no less likely to fall victim to their own wishful thinking.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Earthfall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/earthfall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/earthfall/wishful-thinking-gives.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> In the first place, I'm sort of an atheist. I like Jesus and all, but I don't care too much for most of the other stuff in the Bible. Take the Disciples, for instance. They annoy the hell out of me, if you want to know the truth. They were all right after Jesus was dead and all, but while He was alive, they were about as much use to Him as a hole in the head. All they did was keep letting Him down. I like almost anybody in the Bible better than the Disciples. If you want to know the truth, the guy I like best in the Bible, next to Jesus, was that lunatic and all, that lived in the tombs and kept cutting himself with stones. I like him ten times as much as the Disciples, that poor bastard.

[J.D. Salinger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jd-salinger.md) · [The Catcher in the Rye](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jd-salinger/the-catcher-in-the-rye.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jd-salinger/the-catcher-in-the-rye/in-the-first.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> I do not believe in God, because I believe in man. Whatever his mistakes, man has for thousands of years past been working to undo the botched job your God has made. (p. 207)

[Emma Goldman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emma-goldman.md) · [Living My Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emma-goldman/living-my-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emma-goldman/living-my-life/i-do-not.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> The chiliasts made an atheist out of me.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Contact](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/contact.md) · p. 258 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/contact/the-chiliasts-made.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> 'But,' I [Dmitri Karamazov] asked, 'how will man be after that? Without God and the future life? It means everything is permitted now, one can do anything?' 'Didn't you know?' he said. And he laughed. 'Everything is permitted to the intelligent man,' he said.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [The Brothers Karamazov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-brothers-karamazov.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-brothers-karamazov/but-i-dmitri.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> For socialism is not merely the labour question, it is before all things the atheistic question, the question of the form taken by atheism to-day, the question of the tower of Babel built without God, not to mount to heaven from earth but to set up heaven on earth.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [The Brothers Karamazov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-brothers-karamazov.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-brothers-karamazov/for-socialism-is-not.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md), [socialism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/socialism.md)

> It's easier for a Russian to become an atheist than for anyone else in the world.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [The Idiot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-idiot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-idiot/its-easier-for.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md), [Russia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/russia.md)

> For do our Theologians pretend to make a monopoly of the word, action, and may not the atheists likewise take possession of it, and affirm that plants, animals, men, &c. are nothing but particular actions of one simple universal substance, which exerts itself from a blind and absolute necessity?

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/for-do-our.md)

Topics: [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md), [theology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/theology.md)

> Lord, give me the capacity of never praying, spare me the insanity of all worship, let this temptation of love pass from me which would deliver me forever unto You. Let the void spread between my heart and heaven! I have no desire to people my deserts by Your presence, to tyrannize my nights by Your light, to dissolve my Siberias beneath Your sun.

[Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [A Short History of Decay](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay/lord-give-me-the.md)

Topics: [prayer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/prayer.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Bayle has proved very satisfactorily that fanaticism is more harmful than atheism, and that cannot be denied; but what he has not taken the trouble to say, though it is none the less true, is this: Fanaticism, though cruel and bloodthirsty, is still a great and powerful passion, which stirs the heart of man, teaching him to despise death, and giving him an enormous motive power, which only needs to be guided rightly to produce the noblest virtues; while irreligion, and the argumentative philosophic spirit generally, on the other hand, assaults the life and enfeebles it, degrades the soul, concentrates all the passions in the basest self-interest, in the meanness of the human self; thus it saps unnoticed the very foundations of all society, for what is common to all these private interests is so small that it will never outweigh their opposing interests.—If atheism does not lead to bloodshed, it is less from love of peace than from indifference to what is good; as if it mattered little what happened to others, provided the sage remained undisturbed in his study. His principles do not kill men, but they prevent their birth, by destroying the morals by which they were multiplied, by detaching them from their fellows, by reducing all their affections to a secret selfishness, as fatal to population as to virtue. The indifference of the philosopher is like the peace in a despotic state; it is the repose of death; war itself is not more destructive.—Thus fanaticism though its immediate results are more fatal than those of what is now called the philosophic mind, is much less fatal in its after effects.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/bayle-has-proved.md)

Topics: [fanaticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fanaticism.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> I shall always maintain that whoso says in his heart, "There is no God," while takes the name of God upon his lips, is either a liar or a madman.

[Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/i-shall-always.md)

Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> "God? What has God to do with it? Do you suppose I can look at the misery in which the vast majority of the people live in the world and believe in God? Do you suppose I believe in God who let the Bolsheviks kill my poor, simple father? Do you know what I think? I think God has been dead for millions upon millions of years. I think when he took infinity and set in motion the process that has resulted in the universe, he died, and for ages and ages men have sought and worshipped a being who ceased to exist in the act of making existence possible for them."
>
> He wondered if there was anything in what she said, this woman with her tragic history and miserable life, that God had died when he created the wide world; and was he lying dead on some vast mountain range on a dead star or was he absorbed into the universe he caused to be?

[William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Christmas Holiday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/christmas-holiday.md) · p. 131 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/christmas-holiday/god-what-has.md)

Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> Ether is, in effect, a merely hypothetical entity, valuable only in so far as it explains that which by means of it we endeavor to explain — light, electricity, or universal gravitation — and only so far as these facts cannot be explained in any other way. In like manner the idea of God is also an hypothesis, valuable only in so far as it enables us to explain that which by means of it we endeavor to explain — the essence and existence of the Universe — and only so long as these cannot be explained in any other way. And since in reality we explain the Universe neither better nor worse with this idea than without it, the idea of God, the supreme petitio principii, is valueless.

[Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/ether-is-in-effect.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [logic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/logic.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> And if the immortality of the soul had been unable to find vindication in rational empiricism, neither is it satisfied with pantheism. To say that everything is God, and that when we die, we return to God, or more accurately, continue in Him, avails our longing nothing; for if this indeed be so, then we were in God before we were born, and if we die we return to where we were before being born, then the human soul, the individual consciousness, is perishable. And since we know very well that God, the personal and conscious God of Christian monotheism, is simply the provider, and above all the guarantor, of our immortality, pantheism is said, and rightly said to be merely atheism disguised; and in my opinion, undisguised.

[Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/and-if-the.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [immortality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/immortality.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)

> ...as the great Unitarian preacher Channing pointed out, that in France and Spain there are multitudes who have proceeded from rejecting Popery to absolute atheism, because "the fact is, that false and absurd doctrines, when exposed, have a natural tendency to beget skepticism in those who receive them without reflection. None are so likely to believe too little as those who have begun by believing too much." Here is, indeed, the terrible danger of believing too much. But no! the terrible danger comes from another quarter — from seeking to believe with the reason and not with the life.

[Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/as-the-great.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md)