"The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning.... And, even since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will soon find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your legs and hands, and fly into your face and eyes."
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John Adams (more quotes by John Adams or books by/about John Adams) |
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(1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President |
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Source: |
letter to John Taylor, 1814 |
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Categories: |
Agnostic, Free Thought, Heresy, Ignorance, Persecution, President, Religion, Repression, Truth |
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