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, “The Gods” (1872)
Given 19th century patent medicines, I’m not so sure of the last claim:)