Quote#Truth
Nay, it has come to this, that Truth meets no where with stronger…
Quote byJohn Toland · 1670–1722
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Preface.
English (original)
Nay, it has come to this, that Truth meets no where with stronger opposition, than from many of those that raise the loudest cry about it, and would be taken for no less than the only dispensers of the favors and oracles of Heaven. If any has the firmness to touch the minutest thing that brings them Gain or Credit, he's presently pursued with the hue and cry of Heresy.
— John Toland
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If we make a just computation, and take in the primitive martyrs with the Prophets and Apostles themselves, the professed defenders of Truth, only for Truth's sake, will be found to be a small handful with respect to the numerous partisans …
They are not the articles of the East or West, Orthodox or Arian, Protestant or Papist, considered as such, that I trouble myself about, but those of Jesus Christ and his Apostles.
Since Religion is calculated for reasonable Creatures, 'tis Conviction and not Authority that should bear Weight with them.
That the sacred name of religion which sounds nothing but sanctity, peace and integrity should be so universally abused to patronize ambition, impiety and contention! And that what is our highest interest perfectly to understand, should …