Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Robert G. Ingersoll (American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic)

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) was an American politician and orator. Known as “the great agnostic,” he was a famous critic of the Bible and a proponent of humanistic philosophy and scientific rationalism.

Born in Dresden, New York state, Ingersoll had little formal education. Despite this, he was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1854, and later enjoyed a law practice in Peoria, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

During the Civil War, Ingersoll served as colonel of a Federal cavalry regiment and, in 1867, became State Attorney-General of Illinois. A successful Republican orator, he was also well known for his agnostic lectures attacking Christian beliefs. His heretical religious opinions dissuaded Republican administrations from appointing him to the Cabinet or to the diplomatic posts that he wanted.

Known all over the country as a speaker, Ingersoll was in great demand and received as much as $3,500 for a single evening’s performance. With brilliant oratory and wit, he sought to expose the orthodox superstitions of the times.

Ingersoll wrote several books, including The Gods, and Other Lectures (1876,) Some Mistakes of Moses (1879,) and Why I Am An Agnostic (1896.) His major lectures and speeches are gathered in The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll (12 vols., 1902.)

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Robert G. Ingersoll

From the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead there comes no word, but in the night of death hope sees a star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Religion, Sympathy, Hope

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments—there are consequences.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Realistic Expectations, Nature, Consequences

Religion is one of the phases of thought through which the world is passing
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Religion

What has religion to do with facts? Nothing.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Religion

Every man who expresses an honest thought is a soldier in the army of intellectual liberty.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Army, Soldiers

Let us put theology out of religion. Theology has always sent the worst to heaven, the best to hell.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Religion

If I had my way I’d make health catching instead of disease.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Health

It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had individuality enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions,—some one who had the grandeur to say his say. I believe it was Magellan who said, The church says the earth is flat; but I have seen its shadow on the moon, and I have more confidence even in a shadow than in the church. On the prow of his ship were disobedience, defiance, scorn, and success.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Faith, Courage

The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself.
Robert G. Ingersoll

Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Tolerance

The triumph of justice is the only peace.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Justice

Happiness is not a reward—it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment—it is a result.
Robert G. Ingersoll

If I owe Smith ten dollars and God forgives me, that doesn’t pay Smith.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Forgiveness

Man is a marvelous curiosity … he thinks he is the Creator’s pet … he even believes the Creator loves him; has a passion for him; sits up nights to admire him; yes, and watch over him and keep him out of trouble. He prays to him and thinks He listens. Isn’t it a quaint idea?
Robert G. Ingersoll

Crimes were committed to punish crimes, and crimes were committed to prevent crimes. The world has been filled with prisons and dungeons, with chains and whips, with crosses and gibbets, with thumbscrews and racks, with hangmen and heads-men – and yet these frightful means and instrumentalities have committed far more crimes than they have prevented…. Ignorance, filth, and poverty are the missionaries of crime. As long as dishonorable success outranks honest effort – as long as society bows and cringes before the great thieves, there will be little ones enough to fill the jails.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Justice

Reason, Observation, and Experience—the Holy Trinity of Science.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Observation

In the republic of mediocrity, genius is dangerous.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Anger, Genius, Mediocrity

He knew no fear except the fear of doing wrong.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Fear

I belong to the Great Church which holds the world within its starlit aisles; that claims the great and good of every race and clime; that finds with joy the grain of gold in every creed, and floods with light and love the germs of good in every soul.
Robert G. Ingersoll

In all ages, hypocrites, called priests, have put crowns upon the heads of thieves, called kings.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Hypocrisy

Good nature is the cheapest commodity in the world, and love is the only thing that will pay ten percent to both borrower and lender.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Love

The destroyer of weeds, thistles and thorns is a benefactor, whether he soweth grain or not.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Helping, Consistency

Many people think they have religion when they are troubled with dyspepsia.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Religion

An honest God is the noblest work of man.
Robert G. Ingersoll

Surely there is grandeur in knowing that in the realm of thought, at least, you are without a chain; that you have the right to explore all heights and depth; that there are no walls nor fences, nor prohibited places, nor sacred corners in all the vast expanse of thought…
Robert G. Ingersoll

If people are not being told the truth about their problems, the majority not only may, but invariably must, make the wrong judgments.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Truth

He stands erect by bending over the fallen. He rises by lifting others.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Help, Assistance, Aid

Civilization has gotten further and further from the so-called ‘natural’ man, who uses all his faculties: perception, invention, improvisation.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Civilization

What light is to the eyes—what air is to the lungs—what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man.
Robert G. Ingersoll
Topics: Liberty

The only person entitled to use the imperial ‘we’ in speaking of himself is a king, an editor, and a man with a tapeworm.
Robert G. Ingersoll

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