Voltaire

Find the best quotes, maxims and aphorisms of Voltaire

Biography : François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire was a French writer, historian, and philosopher, a leading figure of the Enlightenment, famous for defending freedom, tolerance, and for criticizing religious fanaticism and social injustice.
Born: 1694 - Died: 1778
Period:
18th century
17th century
Place of birth: France
France

France

Voltaire - Quotes

Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.
Voltaire /

truth

The ancient Romans built their greatest masterpieces of architecture, their amphitheaters, for wild beasts to fight in.
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architecture

What a heavy burden is a name that has become too famous.
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There are truths which are not for all men, nor for all times.
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truth

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy the mad daughter of a wise mother. These daughters have too long dominated the earth.
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If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him.
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Love has features which pierce all hearts, he wears a bandage which conceals the faults of those beloved. He has wings, he comes quickly and flies away the same.
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love

God gave us the gift of life it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.
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life

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.
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The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties are in their place when there is nothing more solid to say but the flowery style ought to be banished from a pleading, a sermon, or a didactic work.
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One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.
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I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
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It is not known precisely where angels dwell whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.
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Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.
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life

History is only the register of crimes and misfortunes.
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He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend provided, of course, he really is dead.
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One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.
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poetry

History should be written as philosophy.
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Friendship is the marriage of the soul, and this marriage is liable to divorce.
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soul

He who has not the spirit of this age, has all the misery of it.
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The infinitely little have a pride infinitely great.
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Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.
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good

God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.
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All men are born with a nose and ten fingers, but no one was born with a knowledge of God.
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Let us work without theorizing, tis the only way to make life endurable.
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life

I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom.
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truth

He who is not just is severe, he who is not wise is sad.
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What then do you call your soul? What idea have you of it? You cannot of yourselves, without revelation, admit the existence within you of anything but a power unknown to you of feeling and thinking.
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The superfluous, a very necessary thing.
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The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.
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fire