Anthony Collins Quotes
Anthony Collins was an English freethinker, philosopher, and friend and disciple of John Locke in his last years. Independently wealthy and educated at Cambridge, he wrote a series of controversial works that shaped the early Enlightenment debate on religion, miracles, and free will. The quotes below are attributed to Anthony Collins, organized by topic.
Anthony Collins on Freedom
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Attributed to Anthony Collins:
“Free-thinking is the use of one's understanding in endeavoring to find out the meaning of any proposition whatsoever.”
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Attributed to Anthony Collins:
“Liberty is doing what one wills; necessity is the structure of the will itself.”
Anthony Collins on God
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Attributed to Anthony Collins:
“Reason is the light God has given to all human beings.”
Anthony Collins on Truth
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Attributed to Anthony Collins:
“An honest doubt is more honourable than a borrowed certainty.”
Anthony Collins on Virtue
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Attributed to Anthony Collins:
“Civility is the first duty of those who differ in opinion.”