"Let us see how I carry on: one friend asked me to pray. When informed of my atheism, he said, “During your last days, you will begin to believe”. I said, “No, dear Sir, it shall not be”. I will think that to be an act of degradation and demoralization on my part. For selfish motives, I am not going to pray. Readers and friends, “Is this vanity?” If it is, I stand for it."