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
religion fool firsts
Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool.
optimistic optimism one-day
One day everything will be well, that is our hope. Everything's fine today, that is our illusion
wish knows
We cannot wish for that we know not.
animal law feet
It would be very singular that all nature, all the planets, should obey eternal laws, and that there should be a little animal five feet high, who, in contempt of these laws, could act as he pleased, solely according to his caprice.
thinking people nationalism
How I like the boldness of the English, how I like the people who say what they think!
want looks criticize
If you want to know who controls you, look at who you are not allowed to criticize.
men thinking hands
Every man can educate himself. It's shameful to put one's mind into the hands of those whom you wouldn't entrust with your money. Dare to think for yourself.
friendship valentines-day divorce
Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce.
thinking half
We only half live when we only half think.
happy-times history virtue
History in general is a collection of crimes, follies, and misfortunes among which we have now and then met with a few virtues, and some happy times.
ideas stomach spite
Thought depends absolutely on the stomach, but in spite of that, those who have the best stomachs are not the best thinkers.
philosophy views purpose
Pleasantry is never good on serious points, because it always regards subjects in that point of view in which it is not the purpose to consider them.
stupid said
Anything too stupid to be said is sung.
evil infidelity adultery
Adultery is an evil only inasmuch as it is a theft; but we do not steal that which is given to us.