“A fact never went into partnership with a miracle. Truth scorns the assistance of wonders. A fact will fit every other fact in the universe, and that is how you can tell whether it is or is not a fact. A lie will not fit anything except another lie.”

American orator and lawyer of the late 19th century, Ingersoll was a prominent figure in freethought and secularism. His sharp wit and eloquent speeches championed reason, science, and skepticism, making him a leading voice against religious dogma. His influence extended beyond rhetoric to advocacy for civil rights and progressive social causes.