Our observation of nature must be diligent, our reflection profound, and our experiments exact. We rarely see these three means combined; and for this reason, creative geniuses are not common.

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Genius Quotes, Nature Quotes, Solitude Quotes

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

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...

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on...

When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on...

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

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

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

People praise virtue, but they hate it, they run away from it. It freezes you...

People praise virtue, but they hate it, they run away from it. It freezes you...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

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...

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage...

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage...

The 1976 Bicentennial is not going to be invented in Washington, printed in triplicate by...

The 1976 Bicentennial is not going to be invented in Washington, printed in triplicate by...

If anyone tells you that you cannot legislate morality, remeber that legislation IS morality.

If anyone tells you that you cannot legislate morality, remeber that legislation IS morality.