Note 68 — Chapter III · DISSOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS MORALITY.

“Oh, God” said Diderot, at the end of his Interprétation de la nature, “I do not know if Thou existest, but I shall bear myself as if Thou sawest into my soul; I shall act as if I felt myself in Thy presence.... I ask nothing of Thee in this world, for the course of things is necessary in and of its own nature, if Thou dost not exist, and necessary if Thou dost, by Thy decree.”