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

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

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...

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...

The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.

The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find.

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 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...

Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the...

Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the...

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...

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...

Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in...

Watch out for the fellow who talks about putting things in order! Putting things in...

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

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...

The best mannered people make the most absurd lovers.

The best mannered people make the most absurd lovers.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

Gratitude is a burden, and every burden is made to be shaken off.

Gratitude is a burden, and every burden is made to be shaken off.

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...