71 definitions
Agnosticism (n.) was punished in Athens: Protagoras was banished and his books burned for writing that he could not know whether there are gods — and the doubt alone kept many quiet.
Atheism (n.) is dangerous to argue before a public audience, but quite safe in a private discussion among friends.
Atomism (n.) cannot give the gods eternity: whatever is made of atoms had a beginning, and what had a beginning must have an end.
Autodidact (n.) who boasts of having had no teacher is like the master of a very bad house boasting that he had no architect but himself.
Beauty (n.) is a prize every species would award to itself, if beasts could reason.
Consensus (n.) of all nations is a weak and false proof of the gods: who has ever learned the opinions of all nations?
Custom (n.) is a poor witness to truth: minds prepossessed by it would have Jupiter always bearded, Apollo beardless, and a lame Vulcan worshipped because a sculptor made him so.
Falsehood (n.) is easier to find than truth: in most subjects, physics above all, we sooner discover what is not true than what is.
Gods (n.) could not be told apart if they all had the same face — there would be an Academy in heaven.
Gods (n.) have as many names as men have languages: Vulcan is not called Vulcan in Italy, Africa and Spain, as Velleius is Velleius everywhere.
Ignorance (n.) honestly confessed is more creditable than following a master you must despise.