There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; reflection combines them; experimentation verifies the result of that combination.

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Knowledge Quotes

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many...

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many...

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...

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,...

If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.

If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him.

The possibility of divorce renders both marriage partners stricter in their observance of the duties...

The possibility of divorce renders both marriage partners stricter in their observance of the duties...

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

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.

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of...

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of...

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...

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...

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.

You have to make it happen.

You have to make it happen.

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...

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.

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

The decisions of law courts should never be printed: in the long run, they form...

The decisions of law courts should never be printed: in the long run, they form...

The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and...

The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and...

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

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

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...

We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings...

We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings...