25+ Charles Bradlaugh Quotes On Education, World And Progressive

Charles Bradlaugh was a British political figure and activist who lived in the 19th century. He was a prominent advocate for secularism and free thought, and was elected to the House of Commons in 1880, becoming the first openly atheist member. He was a strong proponent of social reform and was an influential figure in the development of the labour and cooperative movements. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Charles Bradlaugh on leadership, life, education.

Top 10 Charles Bradlaugh Quotes

1. I cannot follow you Christians; for you try to crawl through your life upon your knees, while I stride through mine on my feet.
2. The abuse dies in a day; but the denial slays the life of the people and entombs the hope of the race.
3. I do not deny "God", because that word conveys to me no idea, and I cannot deny that which presents to me no distinct affirmation, and of which the would-be affirmer has no conception.
4. Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech.
5. I know not what you mean by God; the word God is to me a sound conveying no clear or distinct affirmation.
6. The word heretic ought to be a term of honour.
7. If special honor is claimed for any, then heresy should have it as the truest servitor of human kind.
8. Idle and meaningless ... a form less solemn to me than the affirmation I would have reverently made.
9. A mere society form of Atheism.
10. [That] my body be buried as cheaply as possible and no speeches be permitted at my funeral.

Charles Bradlaugh Short Quotes

• Atheist, without God, I look to humankind for sympathy, for love, for hope, for effort, for aid.
• Atheism is without God. It does not assert no God.
• Liberty's chief foe is theology.
• There is a court to which I shall appeal: the court of public opinion.

Charles Bradlaugh Famous Quotes And Sayings

No religion is suddenly rejected by any people; it is rather gradually outgrown. None sees a religion die; dead religions are like dead languages and obsolete customs: the decay is long and - like the glacier march - is perceptible only to the careful watcher by comparisons extending over long periods. — Charles Bradlaugh

Is poverty of spirit the chief amongst virtues, that Jesus gives it prime place in his teachings? Is it even a virtue at all? Surely not. Manliness of spirit, honesty of spirit, fullness of rightful purpose, these are virtues; poverty of spirit is a crime. — Charles Bradlaugh

If when I am libelled I take no notice, the world believes the libel. If I sue, I have to pay about one hundred pounds' costs for the privilege, and gain the smallest coin the country knows for recompense. — Charles Bradlaugh

Atheists would teach men to be moral now, not because God offers as an inducement reward by and by, but because in the virtuous act itself immediate good is insured to the doer and the circle surrounding him. — Charles Bradlaugh

Probably they had good reason for omitting it. A profane mind might make a jest of an apostle half seas over, and ridicule an apostolic gate-keeper who couldn't keep his head above water. — Charles Bradlaugh

The atheist does not say 'there is no God,' but he says 'I know not what you mean by God; I am without idea of God'; the word 'God' is to me a sound conveying no clear or distinct affirmation. ... The Bible God I deny; the Christian God I disbelieve in; but I am not rash enough to say there is no God as long as you tell me you are unprepared to define God to me. — Charles Bradlaugh

Without free speech no search for Truth is possible; without free speech no discovery of Truth is useful; without free speech progress is checked, and the nations no longer march forward towards the nobler life which the future holds for man. Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day; but the denial stays the life of the people and entombs the hope of the race. — Charles Bradlaugh

Will any one, save the most bigoted, contend, that it is not certain gain to humanity to spread unbelief in the terrible doctrine that eternal torment is the probable fate of the great majority of the human family? — Charles Bradlaugh

God is a spirit. Jesus was led up of the Spirit to be tempted of the Devil; and it is also true that spirits are very likely to lead men to the Devil. Too intimate acquaintance with whisky toddy overnight is often followed by the delirium tremens and blue-devils on the morrow. We advise our readers to eschew alike spirituous and spiritual mixtures. They interfere sadly with sober thinking, and play the Devil with your brains. — Charles Bradlaugh

Is it not gain to have diminished the faith that it was the duty of the wretched and the miserable to be content with the lot in life which providence had awarded them? — Charles Bradlaugh

The ameliorating march of the last few centuries has been initiated by the heretics of each age, though I concede that the men and women denounced and persecuted as infidels by the pious of one century are frequently claimed as saints by the pious of a later generation. — Charles Bradlaugh

Life Lessons by Charles Bradlaugh

1. Charles Bradlaugh was a political figure who championed the cause of secularism and freedom of speech, and was an advocate for social reform.
2. His work showed that it is possible to make a difference in society and to challenge the status quo, even in the face of adversity and opposition.
3. His legacy serves as an inspiration to fight for what is right, and to never give up in the pursuit of justice and equality.