Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey.

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

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

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.

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...

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

No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings.

No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings.

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

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

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation...

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge... observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation...

His hands would plait the priest's guts, if he had no rope, to strangle kings.

His hands would plait the priest's guts, if he had no rope, to strangle kings.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

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...

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 general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius...

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius...

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...

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 are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and...

There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge. . . observation of nature, reflection, and...

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...

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 greatest genius is never so great as when it is chastised and subdued by...

The greatest genius is never so great as when it is chastised and subdued by...

It takes no genius to observe that a one-man band never gets very big

It takes no genius to observe that a one-man band never gets very big

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are...

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are...

Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. Man is the only being who...

Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. Man is the only being who...