
The Education of Henry Adams (1907)
As quoted in Notes for a Memoir : On Isaac Asimov, Life, and Writing (2006) by Janet Jeppson Asimov, p. 58
General sources
Variant: Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.
Context: If you suspect that my interest in the Bible is going to inspire me with sudden enthusiasm for Judaism and make me a convert of mountain‐moving fervor and that I shall suddenly grow long earlocks and learn Hebrew and go about denouncing the heathen — you little know the effect of the Bible on me. Properly read, it is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.
The Education of Henry Adams (1907)
Source: The Political Economy of International Relations (1987), Chapter One, Nature of Political Economy, p. 19
1950s, Loving Your Enemies (Christmas 1957)
Context: Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind's quest for peace and security. Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military genius, looking back over his years of conquest, is reported to have said: "Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have built great empires. But upon what did they depend? They depended on force. But centuries ago Jesus started an empire that was built on love, and even to this day millions will die for him." Who can doubt the veracity of these words. The great military leaders of the past have gone, their empires have crumbled and burned to ashes. But the empire of Jesus, built solidly and majestically on the foundation of love, is still growing. It started with a small group of dedicated men, who, through the inspiration of their Lord, were able to shake the hinges form the gates of the Roman Empire, and carry the gospel into all the world. Today the vast earthly kingdom of Christ numbers more than 900,000,000 and covers every land and tribe.
The Aquarian Conspiracy (1980), Chapter Nine, Flying and Seeing: New Ways to Learn
“Atheism, not religion, is the real force behind the mass murders of history.”
Article http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1121/p09s01-coop.html for The Christian Science Monitor (21 November 2006).
“There is no force more potent in the modern world than stupidity fueled by greed.”
Source: A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990), Ch. 11 : Money Et Cetera, p. 100
“Of all things love is the most potent.”
“Ridicule is man's most potent weapon.”
Source: Rules for Radicals: A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals (1971), p. 128
“Novelty, the most potent of all attractions, is also the most perishable.”
Un Art de Vivre (The Art of Living) (1939), The Art of Loving