Voltaire Quotes
Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778), was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, historian, and social critic. He is renowned for his wit, satire, and advocacy for civil liberties. Voltaire's works cover a wide range of topics, including literature, politics, religion, and philosophy. Here are some key aspects of his life and contributions:
**Early Life and Education:**
1. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France, Voltaire grew up in a well-to-do family.
2. He was educated at a Jesuit college, but his inclination towards literature and skepticism clashed with the school's teachings.
**Literary and Philosophical Contributions:**
3. Voltaire's writing style was marked by wit, irony, and satire. He used these tools to criticize institutions, aristocracy, religious dogma, and intolerance.
4. He penned plays, essays, poetry, historical works, and philosophical treatises. His most famous works include "Candide," a satirical novella, and "Letters Concerning the English Nation," highlighting English religious tolerance and political freedom.
5. Voltaire championed reason and advocated for intellectual freedom. His famous line, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it," epitomizes his belief in free speech.
6. He promoted the separation of church and state, challenging religious authority and superstition.
**Exile and Travels:**
7. Voltaire's critiques led to clashes with authorities, leading to his imprisonment in the Bastille and subsequent exile to England. During his time there, he was influenced by English philosophers and their ideas of individual liberties and constitutional monarchy.
**Return to France:**
8. After returning to France, Voltaire continued his literary output and advocacy for justice and human rights. His works remained influential across Europe.
**Legacy:**
9. Voltaire's writings significantly impacted the Enlightenment movement and paved the way for discussions on religious tolerance, freedom of expression, and the importance of reason and science.
10. His ideas and critiques challenged the status quo and contributed to the transformation of society during a time of great change and upheaval.
**Death and Lasting Influence:**
11. Voltaire died on May 30, 1778. His ideas continue to influence thought and debates on liberty, equality, and justice.
12. His legacy lives on through his works, with many of his quotes and ideas still relevant today.
Voltaire's contributions to literature, philosophy, and society have earned him a place among the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment era.
Voltaire Quotes
Here are 50 quotes attributed to Voltaire, reflecting his wit, wisdom, and perspectives on various topics
1. "Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers."
2. "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
3. "Common sense is not so common."
5. "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
6. "Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do."
7. "Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."
8. "God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh."
9. "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
10. "The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing."
11. "The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."
12. "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize."
13. "Love truth, and pardon error."
14. "Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy—the mad daughter of a wise mother."
15. "In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other."
16. "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him."
17. "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value—zero."
18. "All men are born with a nose and ten fingers, but no one was born with a knowledge of God."
19. "We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies—it is the first law of nature."
20. "One day everything will be well; that is our hope. Everything's fine today; that is our illusion."
21. "The best is the enemy of the good."
22. "Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity."
23. "No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking."
24. "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too."
25. "God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well."
26. "Man is free at the moment he wishes to be."
27. "Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."
28. "The secret of being boring is to say everything."
29. "It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one."
30. "Tears are the silent language of grief."
31. "The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom."
32. "We must cultivate our own garden."
33. "What is history? A tale of mistakes."
34. "A witty saying proves nothing."
35. "The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbors, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all."
36. "If you wish to converse with me, define your terms."
37. "Perfect is the enemy of good."
38. "To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid; you must also be well-mannered."
39. "All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women."
40. "Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need."
41. "The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs."
42. "Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road."
43. "God is on the side of the big battalions."
44. "It is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce."
45. "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe."
46. "Man is a reasoning animal, such that if he is in good health and free from all external distractions, he will willingly apply himself wholly to the search for truth."
47. "If you see a Swiss banker jump out of a window, jump after him. There’s sure to be a fortune on the sidewalk."
48. "The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude."
49. "All styles are good except the tiresome kind."
50. "Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable."
These quotes offer a glimpse into Voltaire's sharp wit, insights on human nature, and critiques of society and philosophy. Please note that quotes may vary slightly due to different translations and sources.
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**Famous Quotes:**
1. "Common sense is not so common."
2. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
3. "Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers."
4. "Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."
**On Life:**
5. "Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."
6. "Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road."
**From "Candide":**
7. "All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds."
8. "It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one."
9. "Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable."
**On Absurdities:**
10. "The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom."
11. "What is history? A tale of mistakes."
12. "Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy—the mad daughter of a wise mother."
**In French:**
13. "Le superflu, chose très nécessaire."
(Translation: "The superfluous, a very necessary thing.")
**Love Quotes:**
14. "Love truth, and pardon error."
15. "Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination."
**Philosophy Quotes:**
16. "All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women."
17. "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe."
**Funny Quotes:**
18. "The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."
19. "Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need."
**On Freedom of Speech:**
20. "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
21. "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too."
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