“The public is accustomed to it, expects little from it and therefore takes little notice of it.”

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.

There is no way of influencing men so powerfully as by means of the women.

Who would imagine that I was to be the founder of a new religion.

My general plan is good, though in the detail there may be faults.

My explanation is accurate and complete, my means are effectual, and irresistable.

We must endeavour to win him over, or decry him.

When you’re accustomed to wealth, you don’t show it, right? That’s why the white kids in school could wear bummy sneakers; it’s almost like, ‘Don’t show wealth – that’s crass.’

One grows accustomed to being praised, or being blamed, or being advised, but it is unusual to be understood.

All parts of the body which have a function, if used in moderation and exercised in labors in which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy, well developed and age more slowly, but if unused they become liable to disease, defective in growth and age quickly.

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.

And I had long ago become accustomed to being called ‘Ophelia Daphne Flavia, damn it.

So endlessly, still expecting to be believed. We are accustomed to the contempt inherent in the political lie.

Being points beyond itself. Accustomed to think in terms of space, the expression “being points beyond itself” may be taken to denote a higher point in space.

Often because the attempt to practice it is misunderstood, discouraged, brought under attack, or made a target of willful abuse.