I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion.
Robert Green IngersollRead
Voltaire! A name that excites the admiration of men, the malignity of priests. Pronounce that name in the presence of a clergyman, and you will find that you have made a declaration of war.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Voltaire represents intellectual freedom and the challenges posed to religious authority.
This quote highlights Voltaire's significant impact on society, especially regarding the tension between free thought and religious dogma. Ingersoll suggests that Voltaire's name evokes admiration from those who value rationalism and criticism of authoritarian structures, while it incites hostility from religious figures who may view his ideas as a threat to their beliefs and power.
Themes
VoltaireIntellectual FreedomReligionCriticismAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on religious influence in education, one might cite this quote to emphasize the need for free thought.
More from Robert Green Ingersoll
All quotes βIf the guardians of society, the protectors of 'young persons,' could have had their way, we should have known nothing of Byron or Shelley. The voices that thrill the world would now be silent.
Robert Green IngersollRead
The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, but a fraud and a curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by a musket is hardly worth making.
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There is no slavery but ignorance.
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In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest monuments sleeps the dust of murder.
Robert Green IngersollRead
I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it - loyalty to our duty as we know it - loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart - is, to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any particular man or God. . . .
Robert Green IngersollRead
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