“Our secret association works in a way that nothing can withstand, and man shall soon be free and happy.”

The revolution which is about to break will be sterile if it is not complete.

But I have contrived an explanation which has every advantage; is inviting to christians of every communion; gradually frees them from all religious prejudices

This is the great object held out by this association; and the means of attaining it is illumination, enlightening the understanding by the sun of reason which will dispell the clouds of superstition and of prejudice.

It was the full conviction of this, and of what could be done,

Let it never appear in any place in its own name but always covered by another name and another occupation.

Salvation does not lie where strong thrones are defended by swords, where the smoke of censers ascend to heaven or where thousands of strong men pace the rich fields of harvest.

I am proud to be known to the world as the founder of the Illuminati.

And of all illumination which human reason can give, none is comparable to the discovery of what we are, our nature, our obligations, what happiness we are capable of, and what are the means of attaining it.

By establishing reading societies, and subscription libraries, and taking these under our direction, and supplying them through our labors

This will be obtained chiefly by means of the schools, and by open, hearty behavior, show, condescension, popularity, and toleration of their prejudices, which we shall at leisure root out and dispel.

The most wonderful thing of all is that the distinguished Lutheran and Calvinist theologians who belong to our order really believe that they see in it (Illuminati) the true and genuine sense of Christian Religion.

The tenor of my life has been the opposite of everything that is vile, and no man can lay any such thing to my charge.

And then all the objections urged against it by jealous tyranny and affrighted superstition will vanish.

In another situation, and in an active station in life,

Let this circumstance of our constitution therefore be directed to this noble purpose

For thus it is better secured from the oppression of the ruling powers, and because this secrecy gives a greater zest to the whole.

I am not comfortable walking the ramp for just any designer. I am particular about who I associate with.

If you associate yourself with peer pressure or complacency, you’re destined for failure.

If you associate yourself with peer pressure or complacency, you’re destined for failure.

What you should do is to say to outsiders that a Christian has neither more nor less rights in our association than an atheist.

It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.

If you want to do something, then dont associate with people who do nothing

But sports carried me away from being in a gang, or being associated with drugs. Sports was my way out.

All thought is a feat of association; having what’s in front of you bring up something in your mind that you almost didn’t know you knew.