We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We...

Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We...

We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates

We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates

Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed,...

Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed,...

Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African...

Morals are in all countries the result of legislation and government; they are not African...

It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it.

It is not human nature we should accuse but the despicable conventions that pervert it.

When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human...

When superstition is allowed to perform the task of old age in dulling the human...

Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths...

Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths...

I can be expected to look for truth but not to find it

I can be expected to look for truth but not to find it

Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that...

Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that...

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation...

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation...

The blood of Jesus Christ can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.

The blood of Jesus Christ can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.

In order to shake a hypothesis, it is sometimes not necessary to do anything more...

In order to shake a hypothesis, it is sometimes not necessary to do anything more...

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those...

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those...

Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other.

Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other.

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and...

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and...

Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.

Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.

Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that...

Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that...

Gaiety is a quality of ordinary men. Genius always presupposes some disorder in the machine.

Gaiety is a quality of ordinary men. Genius always presupposes some disorder in the machine.

The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old...

The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old...