Religions must all be tolerated and the state has to keep an eye that none of them shall derogate the other, because here everyone must find his salvation in his own way.

[Die Religionen müssen alle toleriert werden und der Fiscal muß nur das Auge darauf haben, dass Keine der Andern abruch tue, denn hier muß ein jeder nach seiner Fasson selig werden.]

Frederick II (1712-1786) King of Prussia (a.k.a. Frederick the Great)
Reply to his secretaries

On whether Catholic schools should be forbidden in Prussia, which was officially Lutheran. Alt trans.: "All religions must be tolerated ...; for in this country every man must get to heaven his own way."

 
Added on 26-Oct-09 | Last updated 1-Jul-10
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