It has been asserted, that a moral Atheist would be a monster beyond the power of nature to create: I reply, that it is not more strange for an Atheist to live virtuously, than for a Christian to abandon himself… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
I am a good Protestant, and in the full sense of the term, for from the bottom of my soul, I protest against everything… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
It is only common prejudice that induces us to believe that atheism is a fearful state. — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
So that, were it the purpose of God to produce comets as signs of his wrath it would be true to say that he is quickening a false devotion almost all over the world, increasing the number of pilgrims to Mecca, multiplying the offerings to the most famous impostors, inducing men to build mosques for Mohammedan worship, causing the invention… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share
Consider, I pray, whether you are not renouncing all shame and sincerity to advance such principles. Because a comet appears in a group of stars which the ancients thought fit to call the Virgin, therefore, shall our women be barren, or have frequent miscarriages, or die old maids. I know of nothing which hangs so ill together! To offer such… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share
Compulsion in the literal Sense is maliciously misrepresented, by supposing it authorizes Violences committed against the Truth. The Answer to this; by which it… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
Do you doubt that the least effects of nature were not used as marks of the wrath of heaven? It was to the interest… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
I lay down the Position, That whatever a Conscience well directed allows us to do for the Advancement of Truth, an erroneous Conscience will… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
There was no other God, religion, or lawful magistracy, than conscience, which teaches all men the precepts of Justice, to do no injury, to… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
I get up and retire when I wish. I go out if I wish and I do not go out if I do not… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
The antiquity and general acceptance of an opinion is not assurance of its truth. — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
“In the matters of religion, it is very hard to deceive a man, and very hard to undeceive him.” — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
There is not less wit nor invention in applying rightly a thought one finds in a book, than in being the first author of… — Pierre Bayle Copy Share Image
