It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it.

Quote by Voltaire

Topics: Voltaire Quotes

Very often, say what you will, a knave is only a fool.

Very often, say what you will, a knave is only a fool.

Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers.

Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers.

I know many books which have bored their readers, but I know of none which...

I know many books which have bored their readers, but I know of none which...

Inspiration: A peculiar effect of divine flatulence emitted by the Holy Spirit which hisses into...

Inspiration: A peculiar effect of divine flatulence emitted by the Holy Spirit which hisses into...

Injustice in the end produces independence.

Injustice in the end produces independence.

Whoever serves his country well has no need of ancestors.

Whoever serves his country well has no need of ancestors.

It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.

It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.

An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

The best way to be boring is to leave nothing out.

The best way to be boring is to leave nothing out.

It is an infantile superstition of the human spirit that virginity would be thought a...

It is an infantile superstition of the human spirit that virginity would be thought a...

Prejudices are what fools use for reason.

Prejudices are what fools use for reason.

We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue,...

We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue,...

It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere.

It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere.

As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities.

As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities.

God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.

God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.

The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost...

The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost...

I should like to lie at your feet and die in your arms.

I should like to lie at your feet and die in your arms.

Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal...

Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal...

Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage...

Divorce is probably of nearly the same date as marriage. I believe, however, that marriage...

Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal.

Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal.