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Men's consciences ought in no sort to be violated, urged, or constrained.

— Roger Williams The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)

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More quotes by Roger Williams

Enforced uniformity confounds civil and religious liberty and denies the principles of Christianity and civility. No man shall be required to worship or maintain a worship against his will.

The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom (1991)

God needeth not the help of a material sword of steel to assist the sword of the Spirit in the affairs of conscience.

The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience (1644)

I was persuaded and am, that God's way is first to turn a soul from its idols, both of heart, worship, and conversation, before it is capable of worship to the true and living God...

A Key into the Language of America (1643)

Opinions offensive are of two sorts: some savoring of impiety, and some of incivility.

The Hireling Ministry, None of Christ's (1652)

The natives are very exact and punctual in the bounds of their lands... notwithstanding a sinful opinion amongst many, that christians have right to heathen's land.

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Men accept servility in order to acquire wealth; as if they could acquire anything of their own when they cannot even assert that they belong to themselves.

Étienne de La Boétie Discourse on Voluntary Servitude (1548)

The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error.

George Bernard Shaw Man and Superman (1903)

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.

C. S. Lewis God in the Dock (1970)

Affectation hides three times as many virtues as charity does sins.

Horace Mann Thoughts Selected from the Writings of Horace Mann (1867)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Roger Williams (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.