“To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.”
More from Thomas Paine
“An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.”
“...taxes are not raised to carry on wars, but that wars are raised to carry on taxes.”
“All the tales of miracles, with which the Old and New Testament are filled, are fit only…”
“From the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom.”