Voltaire Quotes

French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade

Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror.' 'Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world.' 'Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense.' 'If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities. Quand celui à qui l'on parle ne comprend pas et celui qui parle ne se comprend pas, c'est de la métaphysique When he to whom a person speaks does not understand, and he who speaks does not understand himself, that is metaphysics. It is the triumph of superior reason to live with folks who don't have any. I swear that, not being able to be yours, I will belong to no one. The more a man knows, the less he talks. To pray to God is to flatter oneself that with words one can alter nature. What a pessimist you are!' exclaimed Candide. 'That is because I know what life is,' said Martin. I have been a hundred times on the point of killing myself, but still was fond of life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts. What can be more absurd than choosing to carry a burden that one really wants to throw to the ground? To detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? To caress the serpent that devours us, and hug him close to our bosoms till he has gnawed into our hearts? For can anything be sillier than to insist on carrying a burden one would continually much rather throw to the ground? Men must have somewhat altered the course of nature; for they were not born wolves, yet they have become wolves. God did not give them twenty-four-pounders or bayonets, yet they have made themselves bayonets and guns to destroy each other. In the same category I place not only bankruptcies, but the law which carries off the bankrupts' effects, so as to defraud their creditors. History is the lie commonly agreed upon. I have chosen to be happy because it is goo for my health. Wherever my travels may lead, paradise is where I am. ��Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. He was my equal in beauty, a paragon of grace and charm, sparkling with wit, and burning with love. I adored him to distraction, to the point of idolatry: I loved him as one can never love twice. It is love; love, the comfort of the human species, the preserver of the universe, the soul of all sentient beings, love, tender love. It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong. If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities. Errors flies from mouth to mouth, from pen to pen, and to destroy it takes ages. Often the prudent, far from making their destinies, succumb to them. -Francois If there's life on other planets, then the earth is the Universe's insane asylum. Virtue debases itself in justifying itself. We all look for happiness, but without knowing where to find it: like drunkards who look for their house, knowing dimly that they have one What can you say to a man who tells you he prefers obeying God rather than men, and that as a result he's certain he'll go to heaven if he cuts your throat? Will is wish, and liberty is power. Let us confess it: evil strides the world. What can we say with certainty? It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection. Men argue. Nature acts. Almost all life depends on probabilities.

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