To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble aim is that of the zealot who tortures himself like a madman in order to desire nothing, love nothing, feel nothing, and who, if he…

Quote by Denis Diderot

Topics: Denis Diderot Quotes

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...

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...

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...

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...

Good music is very close to primitive language.

Good music is very close to primitive language.

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...

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...

We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.

We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.

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...

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...

There is no kind of harassment that a man may not inflict on a woman...

There is no kind of harassment that a man may not inflict on a woman...

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...

The best mannered people make the most absurd lovers.

The best mannered people make the most absurd lovers.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...