“There are times when a falsehood well told bridges over quite a difficulty, but in the long run, you had better tell the truth, even if you swim the creek.”

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.