I think all the heretics I have known have been virtuous men.
Letter to Benjamin Vaughan http://www.2think.org/priestly.shtml (24 October 1788).
Epistles
Kontext: Remember me affectionately to good Dr. Price and to the honest heretic Dr. Priestly. I do not call him honest by way of distinction; for I think all the heretics I have known have been virtuous men. They have the virtue of fortitude or they would not venture to own their heresy; and they cannot afford to be deficient in any of the other virtues, as that would give advantage to their many enemies; and they have not like orthodox sinners, such a number of friends to excuse or justify them. Do not, however, mistake me. It is not to my good friend's heresy that I impute his honesty. On the contrary, 'tis his honesty that has brought upon him the character of heretic.
„Ich habe bereits so viel gelebt und genossen wie neun andere Männer, die ich gekannt habe.“
„Er soll denken, daß ich mehr Manns bin, als ich bin, und ich werde es sein.“
Der philosophische Glaube, 9. Auflage, 1988, S. 73
„Solange sie an einen Mann denkt, hat niemand etwas gegen das Denken einer Frau einzuwenden.“
„Es gibt keinen Ausweg, den ein Mann nicht gehen wird, um die Arbeit des Denkens zu vermeiden.“
„Die meisten Menschen in Amerika denken, Kunst sei der Name eines Mannes.“
