Denis Diderot
Denis Diderot
Denis Diderotʁo]; 5 October 1713 – 31 July 1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer. He was a prominent figure during the Enlightenment and is best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the Encyclopédie along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert...
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth5 October 1713
space may matter
Time, matter, space - all, it may be, are no more than a point.
men genius madness
Oh! how near are genius and madness! Men imprison them and chain them, or raise statues to them.
blow order way
My friend, you should blow out your candle in order to find your way more clearly.
feelings sublime testicles
There's a bit of testicle at the bottom of our most sublime feelings and our purest tenderness.
country believe poverty
In any country where talent and virtue produce no advancement, money will be the national god. Its inhabitants will either have to possess money or make others believe that they do. Wealth will be the highest virtue, poverty the greatest vice.
imagination strange breathe
When shall we see poets born? After a time of disasters and great misfortunes, when harrowed nations begin to breathe again. And then, shaken by the terror of such spectacles, imaginations will paint things entirely strange to those who have not witnessed them.
character heart men
Man was born to live with his fellow human beings. Separate him, isolate him, his character will go bad, a thousand ridiculous affects will invade his heart, extravagant thoughts will germinate in his brain, like thorns in an uncultivated land.
learning games skills
If the weather is too cold or rainy, I take shelter in the Regence Cafe, where I entertain myself by watching chess being played. Paris is the world center, and this cafe is the Paris centre for the finest skill at this game.
lying flattery bitter
We swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us.
birthday goodbye farewell
When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.
funny running humorous
The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.
my-thoughts
For me, my thoughts are my prostitutes.
men literature dignity
Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.
inspirational vices virtue
We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.