The public is a ferocious beast; one must either chain it or flee from it.

Quote by Voltaire

Topics: Voltaire Quotes

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.

Indeed, history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.

Indeed, history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.

I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: O Lord,...

I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: O Lord,...

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.

To enjoy life, we must touch much of it lightly.

To enjoy life, we must touch much of it lightly.

Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law.

Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law.

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

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

He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that...

He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that...

The first step, my son, which one makes in the world, is the one on...

The first step, my son, which one makes in the world, is the one on...

Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too

Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too

One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.

One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.

It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.

It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy: the mad daughter of a wise...

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy: the mad daughter of a wise...

Time, which alone makes the reputation of men, ends by making their defects respectable.

Time, which alone makes the reputation of men, ends by making their defects respectable.

What then do you call your soul? What idea have you of it? You cannot...

What then do you call your soul? What idea have you of it? You cannot...

All sects differ, because they come from men; morality is everywhere the same, because it...

All sects differ, because they come from men; morality is everywhere the same, because it...

The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours,...

The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours,...

The little may contrast with the great, in painting, but cannot be said to be...

The little may contrast with the great, in painting, but cannot be said to be...

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

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

Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them.

Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them.