Authority Quote by Joseph Addison

No morality can be founded on authority, even if the authority were divine.

— A.J. Ayer

Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle

— George Washington

“& experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

— Janice T. Connell

It is no more the function of government to impose a moral code than to impose a religious code. And for the same reason.

— Robert Morrison MacIver

Let us with Caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.

— George Washington

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national…

— George Washington

Moral authority is never retained by any attempt to hold on to it. It comes without seeking and is retained without effort.

— Mahatma Gandhi

In the public realm, secularism should not concede a single inch to religious intrusions.

— Gad Saad

Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths,…

— George Washington

While moral rules may be propounded by authority the fact that these were so propounded would not validate them.

— A.J. Ayer

“Moral authority is earned, not given. This is why formal authorities are threatened by moral authorities without position.”

— Richie Norton

Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the General Government.

— Thomas Jefferson