Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined; and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common.

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

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...

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...

It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not...

It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not...

There is no kind of harassment that a man may not inflict on a woman...

There is no kind of harassment that a man may not inflict on a woman...

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...

Women swallow at one mouthful the lie that flatters, and drink drop by drop the...

Women swallow at one mouthful the lie that flatters, and drink drop by drop the...

Sentences are like sharp nails, which force truth upon our memories.

Sentences are like sharp nails, which force truth upon our memories.

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on...

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on...

You have to make it happen.

You have to make it happen.

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

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

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little...

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little...

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy

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...

No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings.

No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings.

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.

There is no good father who would want to resemble our Heavenly Father.

There is no good father who would want to resemble our Heavenly Father.

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...

Genius is independent of situation.

Genius is independent of situation.

What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us...

What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us...

Nature is better than a middling doctor.

Nature is better than a middling doctor.

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still...

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still...