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
hate men objectivity
Men hate the individual whom they call avaricious only because nothing can be gained from him.
hate enemy superstitions
I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting superstition.
witty hate prove
A witty quote proves nothing.
judge questions rather
Judge a person by their questions, rather than their answers.
french-writer judge man questions rather
Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.
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.
freedom natural pens risk
We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongues, at our peril, risk and hazard.
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.