Nov 21, 1694 - May 30, 1778
French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade
Share this author:
The system of Descartes... seemed to give a plausible reason for all those phenomena; and this reason seemed more just, as it is simple and intelligible to all capacities. But in philosophy, a student ought to doubt of the things he fancies he understands too easily, as much as of those he does not understand.
I confess that my stomach does not take to this style of cooking. I cannot accept calves sweetbreads swimming in a salty sauce, nor can I eat mince consisting of turkey, hare, and rabbit, which they try to persuade me comes from a single animal... As for the cooks, I really cannot be expected to put up with this ham essence, nor the excessive quantity of morels and other mushrooms, pepper, and nutmeg with which they disguise perfectly good food.
History in general is a collection of crimes, follies, and misfortunes among which we have now and then met with a few virtues, and some happy times.
What would constitute useful history? That which should teach us our duties and our rights, without appearing to teach them.
If one does not reflect, one thinks oneself master of everything; but when one does reflect, one realizes that one is master of nothing.
He who has heard the same thing told by 12,000 eye-witnesses has only 12,000 probabilities, which are equal to one strong probability, which is far from certain.
Luxury has been railed at for two thousand years, in verse and in prose, and it has always been loved.
I know of nothing more laughable than a doctor who does not die of old age.
It is with books as with the fires of our grates, everybody borrows a light from his neighbor to kindle his own, which in turn is communicated to others, and each partakes of all.
We must cultivate our own garden.
The famous physician Dumoulin said when dying, 'I leave two great physicians behind me, simple food and pure water.'
Every one should be his own physician. We ought to assist, and not to force nature. Eat with moderation...Nothing is good for the body but what we can digest. What medicine can procure digestion? Exercise. What will recruit strength? Sleep.
A good imitation is the most perfect originality
The art of government is to make two-thirds of a nation pay all it possibly can pay for the benefit of the other third.
If you want to kill Christianity you must abolish Sunday.
The mirror is a worthless invention. The only way to truly see yourself is in the reflection of someone else's eyes.
Language is a very difficult thing to put into words.
There can be no happiness without good health
We are all guilty of the good we did not do
Give me the patience for the small things of life, courage for the great trials of life. Help me to do my best each day and then go to sleep knowing God is awake.
Every man can educate himself. It's shameful to put one's mind into the hands of those whom you wouldn't entrust with your money. Dare to think for yourself.
Those who can be made to believe absurdities can be made to commit atrocities.
What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity.
The hallmark of a free society is that I may totally disapprove of what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it until I die.
Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.
Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said.
He who can lead you to believe an absurdity can lead you to commit an atrocity.
It is the poverty connected with our species which subordinates one man to another. It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence.
A woman can keep one secret the secret of her age.
Historians are gossips who tease the dead
