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

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the...

Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the...

There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest...

There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest...

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...

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...

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

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

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

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

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,...

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

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

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...

If there is one realm in which it is essential to be sublime, it is...

If there is one realm in which it is essential to be sublime, it is...

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

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

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

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

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...

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...

Bad company is as instructive as licentiousness. One makes up for the loss of one's...

Bad company is as instructive as licentiousness. One makes up for the loss of one's...

Good music is very close to primitive language.

Good music is very close to primitive language.

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

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

No vice is so bad as advice

No vice is so bad as advice

Vice may be had at all prices

Vice may be had at all prices

Vice Is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment

Vice Is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment