Words from Robert Ingersoll - 14

Over the vast plain called life we are all travelers, and not one traveler is perfectly certain that he is going in the right direction. True it is, that no other plain is so well supplied with guide-boards. At every turn and crossing you find them, and upon each one is written the exact direction and distance. One great trouble is, however, that these boards are all different, and the result is that most travelers are confused in proportion to the number they read. Thousands of people are around each of these signs, and each one is doing his best to convince the traveler that his particular board is the only one upon which the least reliance can be placed, and that if his road is taken the reward for doing so will be infinite and eternal, while all the other roads are said to lead to hell, and all the makers of the other guide boards are declared to be heretics, hypocrites, and liars. "Well," says a traveler, "you may be right in what you say, but allow me at least to read some of the other directions and examine a little into their claims. I wish to rely a little upon my own judgment in a matter of so great importance." "No, sir!" shouted the zealot. "That is the very thing you are not allowed to do. You must go my way without investigation or you are as good as damned already." "Well," says the traveler, "if that is so, I believe I had better go your way." And so most of them go along, taking the word of those who know as little as themselves. Now and then comes one who, in spite of all threats, calmly examines the claims of all, and as calmly rejects them all.—These travelers take roads of their own, and are denounced by all the others as Infidels and Atheists.

In my judgment, every human being should take a road of his own. Every mind should be true to itself; should think, investigate, and conclude for itself. This is a duty alike incumbent upon pauper and prince. Every soul should repel dictation and tyranny, no matter from what source they come—from earth or heaven, from men or gods.

Plea for Individuality and Arraignment of the Church, 1873