Denis Diderot
Denis Diderot
Denis Diderotʁo]; 5 October 1713 – 31 July 1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer. He was a prominent figure during the Enlightenment and is best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the Encyclopédie along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert...
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth5 October 1713
knowledge mean reflection
There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; reflection combines them; experimentation verifies the result of that combination.
spiritual atheist science
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
loss religion prejudice
Bad company is as instructive as licentiousness. One makes up for the loss of one's innocence with the loss of one's prejudices.
god religious mistake
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all.
people lovers sexuality
The best mannered people make the most absurd lovers.
inspirational vices virtue
We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.
birthday goodbye farewell
When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human temperament, we can say goodbye to all excellence in poetry, in painting, and in music.
men literature dignity
Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.
giving inspire excellent
The bad gives rise to the good, the good inspires the better, the better produces the excellent, the excellent is followed by the bizarre
heart blood atheism
Gentleness and peacefulness regulate our proceedings; theirs are dictated by fury. We employ reason, they accumulate faggots. They preach nothing but love, and breathe nothing but blood. Their words are humane, but their hearts are cruel.
vanity desire given
I have not the hope of being immortal, because the desire of it has not given me that vanity.
race hands soul
Those authors into whose hands nature has placed a magic wand, with which they no sooner touch us than we forget the unhappiness in life, than the darkness leaves our soul, and we are reconciled to existence, should be placed among the benefactors of the human race.
feelings sublime testicles
There's a bit of testicle at the bottom of our most sublime feelings and our purest tenderness.
risk suspicious
You risk just as much in being credulous as in being suspicious.