Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionHistorian
Date of Birth21 November 1694
CityParis, France
CountryFrance
doubt world littles
We are going to a new world... and no doubt it is there that everything is for the best; for it must be admitted that one might lament a little over the physical and moral happenings of our own world.
life writing giving
Monsieur l'abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.
book reading littles
I keep to old books, for they teach me something; from the new I learn very little
book numbers choices
A small number of choice books are sufficient.
independence fruit revolution
Independence in the end is the fruit of injustice.
math use steps
When we cannot use the compass of mathematics or the torch of experience...it is certain we cannot take a single step forward.
people coward honest
One of the chief misfortunes of honest people is that they are cowardly.
strong drinking men
Men fed upon carnage, and drinking strong drinks, have all an impoisoned and acrid blood which drives them mad in a hundred different ways.
strong justice citizens
Not all citizens can be equally strong; but they can all be equally free.
regret loss men
Time is man's most precious asset. All men neglect it; all regret the loss of it; nothing can be done without it.
nature sells
Happiness is a good that nature sells us.
country time england
In this country [England] it is good to kill an admiral from time to time, to encourage the others. The reference is to Admiral John Byng, who was executed in 1757 for failing to prevent the French from taking Minorca.
faith believe understanding
Faith consists in believing not what seems true, but what seems false to our understanding.
idols feet hands
The Pope is an idol whose hands are tied and whose feet are kissed.