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

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...

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...

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...

To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble...

To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.

There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.

We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings...

We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings...

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.

Sentences are like sharp nails, which force truth upon our memories.

Sentences are like sharp nails, which force truth upon our memories.

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.

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...

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...

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...

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.

The principal purpose of the Democratic Party is to use the force of government to...

The principal purpose of the Democratic Party is to use the force of government to...

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.