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
freedom might genius
The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action.
power long denial
Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.
patriotic patriotism ephemeral
Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.
religion different revelations
Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths that are revealed. They are entirely different things.
philosophy science firsts
The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.
love life giving
It has been said that love robs those who have it of their wit, and gives it to those who have none.
death running hate
People praise virtue, but they hate it, they run away from it. It freezes you to death, and in this world you've got to keep your feet warm.
memories literature nails
Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.
hands facts found
The fact is that she was terribly undressed and I was extremely undressed too. The fact is that I still had my hand where she didn't have anything and she had hers where the same wasn't quite true of me. The fact is that I found myself underneath her and consequently she found herself on top of me.
people giving philanthropy
Happiest are the people who give most happiness to others
fate may comfort
I am wholly yours - you are everything to me; we will sustain each other in all the ills of life it may please fate to inflict upon us; you will soothe my troubles; I will comfort you in yours.
wise years forever
You live as if you were destined to live forever, no thought of your frailty ever enters your head, of how much time has already gone by you take no heed. You squander time as if you drew from a full and abundant supply, so all the while that day which you bestow on some person or thing is perhaps your last. You have all the fears of mortals and all the desires of immortals… What foolish forgetfulness of mortality to defer wise resolutions to the fiftieth or sixtieth year, and to intend to begin life at a point to which few have attained.
order survival monsters
What is a monster? A being whose survival is incompatible with the existing order.
blow light darkness
I have only a small flickering light to guide me in the darkness of a thick forest. Up comes a theologian and blows it out.