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
best french-writer possible
Everything is for the best in this best of possible worlds.
art citizens consists french-writer government money party possible taking
In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
hear news sacrament wait
When we hear news we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation
inspirational funny life
I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
charlatans faith hundred regimen superior time
Regimen is superior to medicine, especially as, from time immemorial, out of every hundred physicians, ninety-eight are charlatans
borrowed french-writer judicious original writers
Originality is nothing by judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.
chains fools free french-writer hard
It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere.
failure lost ruined twice won
I was never ruined but twice - once when I lost a lawsuit, once when I won one
country
Who serves his country well has no need of ancestors.
religion subject
Such is the feebleness of humanity, such is its perversity, that doubtless it is better for it to be subject to all possible superstitions, as long as they are not murderous, than to live without religion.
condemned criminals good hanged man public serves works
Let the punishments of criminals be useful. A hanged man is good for nothing; a man condemned to public works still serves the country, and is a living lesson.
cover covers manifest religion secret settled society wherever
Wherever there is a settled society, religion is necessary; the laws cover manifest crimes, and religion covers secret crimes.
happy life religion
Religion was instituted to make us happy in this life and in the other. What must we do to be happy in the life to come? Be just.
born five god knowledge men nose
All men are born with a nose and five fingers, but no one is born with a knowledge of God.