Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

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,...

Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild.

Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

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

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

Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.

Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.

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...

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed...

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

The God of the Christians is a father who makes much of his apples, and...

The God of the Christians is a father who makes much of his apples, and...

My ideas are my whores.

My ideas are my whores.

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...

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...

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius...

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius...

His hands would plait the priest's guts, if he had no rope, to strangle kings.

His hands would plait the priest's guts, if he had no rope, to strangle kings.

Good music is very close to primitive language.

Good music is very close to primitive language.

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...