Man must learn to rely upon himself. Reading bibles will not protect him from the blasts of winter, but houses, fires, and clothing will. To prevent famine, one plow is worth a million sermons, and even patent medicines will cure more diseases than all the prayers uttered since the beginning of the world.

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899) American lawyer, freethinker, orator

Lecture (1872-01-29), “The Gods,” Fairbury Hall, Fairbury, Illinois
    (Source)

First given on the 135th birthday of Thomas Paine. Collected in The Gods and Other Lectures (1876).